Editor’s note: We are just hours away from Saturday night’s showdown between Erik Morales (47-2, 34 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (39-2-2, 30 KOs). In the latest edition of the Boxing Writers’ Rankings Poll, Morales placed number two at junior lightweight while Pacquiao finished number one at featherweight. Many expect this fight, which takes place at the MGM Grand and will be shown live in the U.S. on HBO pay-per-view, to become a fight of the year candidate. And now, Honest Howie’s fight pick for Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao is ….
Howie’s Motto: “Seldom Right, But Never In Doubt.”
Honest Howie’s Fight Pick By Howard Sirota
Erik Morales (47-2, 34 KOs) -v- Manny Pacquiao (39-2-2, 30 KOs)
March 19, 2005, Las Vegas, NV, USA, HBO PPV
Pacquiao by mid to late round KO
This is a must-see fight for boxing fans…two top-tier guys in a fight either guy could win, although I favor the non-stop punching machine Manny Pacquiao to wear down and then take out Erik Morales. In my opinion, all the wars have already taken their toll on Morales, and Erik is no longer as outstanding as he used to be a few years ago. Manny Pacquiao has also tasted plenty of leather, but, in 2005, I think Pacquiao is the hungrier guy with more fire than Morales. On the other hand, Erik Morales has the skills and power and endurance to outbox and outpunch Pacquiao, although I think that, at this point in their respective careers, Manny Pacquiao has more left in the tank and will overpower a somewhat faded Erik Morales. We’ll see. Expect a candidate for Fight of the Year…don’t be at the fridge when you hear screaming and return to see a rerun of the ending…this should be non-stop action from beginning to end, with ebb and flow and it just doesn’t get better than this…two great warriors. Whew!
Copyright 2005 ConanSports LLC
