The fight was as exciting as the fans had hoped for when Erik Morales won a thrilling twelve round points decision over Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, USA on a Top Rank, M&M Sports Promotion. It was a high quality fight between two of the best boxers in the world that deserved to be for a world title, even though the vacant WBC International junior lightweight title was the only belt at stake.
“My confidence level went up with every round,” said Morales 48-2 (34), in the ring after the fight. “I was controlling everything and I threw a good left jab and I felt real good doing that. I knew he was fast and he is fast, but I think my experience and everything I know in the ring was able to control everything he had.”
26-year-old Pacquiao 39-3-2 (31) claimed that a bad cut from a head clash affected his performance. After a good uppercut from Morales early in the 5th round, both men were landing great combinations but Pacquiao suddenly had a bad cut on his right eye. The ringside doctor allowed the fight to continue, and referee Joe Cortez ruled the cut from a punch and Pacquiao looked disoriented momentarily. His eye was bruised below and there was a deep cut on the eyebrow. Television replays between the rounds showed the cut had come from a head clash. “I couldn’t see out of one eye and it was very hard,” explained Pacquiao. “If I am not cut on one eye, I think I can knock him out.”
28-year-old Morales claimed that Pacquiao’s power never concerned him. “I never felt his power and I never felt he got me real good with any of his left hands,” he said.
With Mike Tyson watching on from ringside, there was a slow start to the opening round, but Pacquiao then swarmed forward with not much offence from Morales. Suddenly Pacquiao landed a big left hand which appeared to awaken Morales who just exploded and nearly put Pacquiao through the ropes. The Filipino then hurt Morales to the body and a world-class battle had begun.
There was great action in the 3rd round, both men landing strong shots and trying to control the fight, but Morales was just a little more powerful consistently. The 6th was a slower round as Morales boxed on the outside and Pacquiao looked to explode with combinations at every opportunity, always coming forward. In the 7th Pacquiao worked his way back into the fight with a good work rate, while Morales landed some good shots to end the round. The 9th was another good round for Pacquiao, blood streaming down his face, but he still kept coming forward to force his way back into the fight. Pacquiao was working well in the 10th until a Morales right hand hurt him and there was then great two way action until Pacquiao’s mouthpiece came flying out. Morales then amazingly turned southpaw to finish the round and had some success with the new stance. The 12th was a perfect ending to an enthralling battle, midway through the round Morales turned southpaw again and hurt Pacquiao with a right hand. Both men then were just trading toe to toe and wobbly from taking punches and sheer exhaustion. The crowd was on its feet applauding and both men were raised on the shoulders of their cornermen after the bell, their arms raised in victory.
All three Judges, Paul Smith, Dave Moretti and Chuck Giampa scored the fight for Morales 115-113. SecondsOut agreed with the judges and had Morales winning 115-113.
After his last fight points loss to arch Mexican rival Marco Antonio Barrera, this win where many people saw him going into the fight as an underdog pleased Morales.
“A lot of people didn’t believe in me,” he said. “After the last fight they lost confidence in me. But tonight I showed that I am still around.”
After the fight, Morales was asked about his future. “It’s up to the people, whatever they want to see,” he replied. “If they want (Marco Antonio) Barrera, or maybe move up. Whoever Top Rank and the people want to see me fight, that’s what I’ll do.”
Pacquiao already has his next fight on his mind. “I would like a rematch with him,” he said. “It was a great fight, but it is part of the sport, there is a loser and there is a winner.”
