The View from The Corner with former world-rated middleweight and light heavyweight “Irish” Bobby Cassidy.
In Morales? corner: I like Morales? height and his natural assets. He has the advantage in reach and height. And that?s what I?d tell him to use. There is no question that Morales can slug, but I?d tell him to box and use the ring to his advantage. Pacquiao applies a lot of pressure, so I?d tell Morales to use the jab to slow Pacquiao down. He?s got to make Pacquiao pay for that pressure. In the later rounds he can step it up more and slug more if the opportunities are there. I?d tell him to take more chances later in the fight. But Pacquiao can punch, so I?d tell Morales that he always has to be aware of that and never get careless. He should focus on building a lead while his opponent is loading up. Pacquiao is a southpaw, but I don?t think southpaws are a problem for Morales, because he?s beaten southpaws Daniel Zaragoza, Paulie Ayala and Kevin Kelley (although each was past their prime).
In Pacquaio?s corner: I like Pacquaio?s pressure and the way he approaches a fight. But in order for him not to pay the price for that pressure, he?s got to attack at angles. I was a southpaw, so I know what it’s like, and automatically, just by being a southpaw, Pacquaio gives Morales a different look. That will help him. If he walks straight in, I think Morales has the ability and power to just pick him apart. So he?s got to attack from different angles. So I?d try to get him to slip. I?d work more on his defense for this fight.
The outcome: Pacquiao has some nice wins, but he?s been down before and he?s beatable. He drew with Juan Manuel Marquez and there are those who thought Marquez could have gotten that fight. Pacquiao doesn?t quite have the same experience in the spotlight that Morales already has. And that can also play a factor. I love Morales physical advantages. But Pacquiao is determined to be as big a star as Morales. I think it?s a close fight, but I pick Morales by split decision.
