I have been bashing our own Manny Pacquiao in the past. I was even tagged un-Filipino. But for now, I have a change of heart, not just being patriotic. His ring credentials are superb as compared to his foe. Pacquiao’s title fight against Mexico’s Hector Velasquez tomorrow at the Staples Center in Los Angeles will be practically a walk in the park. He is the overwhelming favorite to beat the daylights out of the Mexican pretender who has nothing to lose in the first place.
To some experts, it will be a set-up, a mismatch. There are those who claim and rightly so, that Velasquez was purposely handpicked and set up as the fall guy for an even bigger fight which may be worth $1.75 million for the Gensan “Destroyer” if he hurdles the older Tijuana native. In sight is the projected “Pacquiao-Morales: Part II” on Jan. 21, 2006 at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus under the aegis of promoter Bob Arum. Morales defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in 12 rounds last March 20 in Las Vegas for the WBC super-featherweight title.
NOT TIPTOP. Of course, Velasquez said that that he is nowhere near being a patsy. On the eve of their title bout, he bragged that he prepared hard and long for the fight; that he has nothing to lose. He conceded that Pacquiao is a very talented boxer and very strong. He however claimed that Pacquiao is not in tiptop condition and has been on a slide since stunning Marco Antonio Barrera in their epic battle in San Antonio, Texas on November 2003. The Mexican (42-10-3) is also taller and heavier than the Filipino. Four years older at 30, he may even be considered already over the hill.
For that rich payday in Pacquiao-Morales: Part II showdown to materialize, two things must take place tomorrow. First, Pacquiao whips Velasquez, at least convincingly, to whet the appetite of fight fans for a rematch against his former tormentor. Second, Morales must also defeat Zahir Raheem in the other co-event of the so-called “Double Trouble” promotion. Both bouts are scheduled for 12 rounds. Sadly, however, the championship belts at stake belong only to the WBC international category.
CLAMOR. In other words, they are not so glamorous and prestigious. How many “International” boxing champions have we in the past and now? They are a dime a dozen. Why, because those who belong to the International division are those who rank from No.11 to 20 in the world. Both Morales and Pacquiao are not interested in these titles anyway. They just have to prove themselves in their respective fights tomorrow so that those who witnessed their first encounter in Las Vegas six months ago may clamor for a return bout.
Initially, when the Pacquiao-Velasquez match was being firmed up, I was wondering why it was scheduled for 12 rounds when no title was at stake. I continued to wonder until I learned yesterday that the WBC officially sanctioned it for the vacant International super-featherweight crown. Morales and Raheem, on the other hand, will contest the vacant WBC International junior lightweight belt. Only an unexpected victory by Velasquez will upset the applecart of promoters to stage-manage a match which aims at a bigger and richer payday next year.
SHOO-INS. Tomorrow’s face-off involves a pair of feared ring gladiators with contrasting styles who are considered shoo-ins to dispose of their respective opponents. One, in the person of Pacquiao, who is hungry for a legitimate world title another world title after proving the better and craftier warrior over Marco Antonio Barrera and a host of others in the not-so-distant past. And able to handle himself against Mexicans Juan Manuel Marquez (draw-May 10, 2004)) and Morales himself.
To some, Pacquiao’s date with Velasquez will be a lark. The other, in the person of Morales, still has to convince most Filipinos if he could have won had Pacquiao not suffered that cut on his right eye in their March 20 battle in Las Vegas. Otherwise, if there is no combination of both Pacquiao and Morales being triumphant, then the promoters can kiss good-bye to their hatchet plan to earn megabucks by the millions on Jan. 21 at the UNLV campus.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “The POC does not respond well to threats, veiled or otherwise.” – Philippine Olympic Committee president Peping Cojuangco, reacting to the PBA’s warning to dissolve the all-professional basketball training pool if the POC and the BAP do not come to terms
