A TASTE OF SATURDAY NIGHT
The battle between Manny Pacquiao and Eric Morales is so big, that a small auditorium in the MGM Grand could not support the weigh in, rather the Grand Garden Arena itself. Being a ?Pac-Man? devotee, I made the mistake of sitting on the wrong side of the crowd, as people around were me screaming ?Viva Mexico!? Hearing the yells and feeling the excitement in the air for just a ten minute weigh-in, brought chills to this Filipino-American writer.
THE MOST NON-OVER HYPED ?HYPED? FIGHT IN YEARS
They announced at the weigh-in that over 13,000 of the 14,000+ seats have been sold, a number that many a great American fighter couldn?t do, much less a pair of 130 lb. fighters from the Philippines and Mexico. This fight, it sold itself. It didn?t need Murad Muhammad to yell and cheer or praise Pacquiao. And it didn?t need Morales? guy Fernando Beltran to propose a $100,000 bet to sell this fight, it simply sold out itself!
MORALES ?BARELY? MADE WEIGHT
There was no question Manny Pacquiao, coming up from featherweight, would make the 130 lb. limit, as he was a buffed 129.5. However, Morales needed to bare all to make the weight. Morales and his fans knew ?El Terrible? would need to go back to his room and eat something. When HBO brings their scales in at fight time, it will show Erik weighing around 145 pounds as he did for his last fight. If that occurs, it?ll be a short fight for the Mexican legend!
PHILIPPINE BOXING PAST & PRESENT
Some of the legendary names for the Filipino boxing scene are in attendance to witness the biggest and most important fight in the countries history. Former great Luisito Espinosa was given ringside seats from Manny personally, showing Manny?s respect for his idol. Marty Elorde, Pacquiao?s ex-Manager and son of the number #1 name in Philippine boxing ?Flash? Elorde, he flew from Manila so support his friend.
IS THIS ALL ABOUT EARLY OR LATE?
Most boxing experts see this match in two general ways: Manny dominating early or Morales taking over late. This fight will come down to what Morales will bring to the table. In some interviews he said he?ll box more, not predicting knockout. While other interviews state that he won?t run from Pacquiao and slug it out toe to toe. Morales has never been known as a fighter who will run. However, fighters who don?t box Manny Pacquiao, get knocked into the next century.
A DIFFERENT ?PAC-MAN? FROM LAST MAY
Those who witnessed the thrilling scrap between Pacquiao and Juan ?The Avoided One? Manuel Marquez, felt that Pacquiao went left hand crazy trying to KO Marquez, which ultimately let Juan back into the fight. Marquez is a totally different fighter from Morales. There is a reason why Prince Naseem Hamed, Marco Antonio Barrera, Luisito Espinosa, and Erik Morales never mentioned JMM, he?s that good! However, what Morales lacks in skill to Marquez he makes up with great heart and chin. Pacquiao will try to do the undoable so far, and that is to drop and eventually stop Erik Morales before the final bell.
THE PREDICTION FROM A PINOY IN VEGAS!
It?s easy to pick one or the other based on their styles and skills. However, it?s all about momentum and the ?Pac-Man? has it. Having the weight of an entire nation on his back is something Manny loves and wants. And he feels that by defeating Morales, Manny will cement his place in boxing history as one of the greats. Pacquiao will win this fight on clean punching and because he will constantly hurt Morales. You can talk the talk, but once you get hit by that left hand, all that goes out the window! Body work helps Pacquiao win via TKO in six!
FINAL MESSAGE TO THE ?PACLANDERS?
The Philippines has not been a great place to live or be proud of in many years. However, this is the chance to show the world our culture and our pride as Filipinos to support his fighter from General Santos City. Having been to many of Manny?s fights, it bring this writer great joy to see Filipinos out in numbers and chanting Manny?s name. Fight fans coming to the arena Saturday night, rest your chords so you can sing our National Anthem. And bring your ?A? game, because this will be a moment you will never forget! Mabuhay Pilipinas!
Jason ?SJ? Aniel
