BEING BORN LEFT HANDED HAS SOME REWARDS!
Every now and then, my amateur boxing background in which I garnered four-Golden Gloves championships proves invaluable as a writer covering the fistic action of the squared circle. That being said, I don?t think anybody has looked at the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales from the perspective of another fighter and his sizing up the pair?s 12-round engagement.
THIS ISN?T THAT TOUGH A SCRAP TO HANDICAP!
Having studied both men intently prior to preparing this piece, both Manny and Erik have some leaks in their hull. But to expose the weaknesses of each man is not where I?m going here. Instead, I will take you through the basic mechanics of boxing that apply when a left-handed fighter (Pacquiao) meets a right-handed pug (Morales). This tiny aspect alone I feel will be the determining factor come Saturday night.
A REVIEW OF THE PUGILISTIC BASICS!
Morales leads with his left hand and left foot. Manny is of the other hand and he puts his right hand and foot out front. Where these feet are positioned in the MGM Grand ring Saturday night will most likely determine the winner. That being said, the position each man wants is to have his lead foot on the outside of that of his opponent. Reason being is that when left meets right, the outside foot has an overwhelming advantage.
SO SIMPLE, EVEN TODD DU BEOF WILL GET IT!
Even someone on Prozac should be able understand the following. Being a southpaw myself, Pacquiao, if he can keep his foot outside of Erik?s, he will have Morales standing right in front of his potent left cross. Simply put, the fighter with the advantage of the outside foot placement has his adversary looking down the barrel of a loaded gun. To defend your self against that left cross when the lefty has the outside foot advantage is nearly impossible. Because once the left-cross starts landing, the right hooks are certain to follow.
NOW APPLY THE SAME PRINCIPLE THE OPPOSITE WAY!
Should Erik Morales be able to keep his left foot outside of Pacquiao?s, he will have in addition to having Manny looking down the barrel of his potent right cross, a height and reach advantage. I hope HBO PPV utilizes the overhead camera Saturday night in order to illustrate the simplicity of what I?ve just laid out.
