Los Angeles, California–
HBO starts their 2006 campaign with a rematch from last year’s battle between Mexican legend Erik Morales and Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao, in a 12 round WBC super featherweight eliminator. Morales and Pacquiao square off on Saturday, January 21, 9 PM ET/ 6 PM PT on Pay-Per-View, from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Former WBC 122, 126 & 130 pound champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales (48-3, 34 KO’s) Tijuana, Mexico. 29-years-old, 5’8″ 130-pounds, trainer Jos? Luis “Maestro” L?pez, manager Jos? Morales. Style: Morales is the complete boxer/puncher. He can stick, move; work behind his jab and score with rapier-like combinations. Or, he can flat out bang. However, at this point in his career and against a slugger like Pacquiao, chances are he will box more and bang less until the opportunity presents itself to pull the trigger. Only three of his last ten fights haven’t gone the distance and that goes back to June 2002, when he lost a 12-round unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Barrera.
Significant Bouts: Morales is coming off a very lackluster performance this past September in Los Angeles, when he was upset in 12 rounds by unheralded Zahir Raheem.
Morales was heavier, slower and a great deal more vulnerable that when last seen laying the wood to Filipino knockout artist Manny Pacquiao in March 2005. The former three-time world champion Morales looked ordinary in losing the 12 round unanimous decision to talented but unheralded former American Olympian Raheem. In a bout that was basically a tune-up for yet another showdown with Pacquiao, Morales was simply outhustled as Raheem repeatedly landed the harder and cleaner shots against the legendary Mexican champion and future Hall of Famer. Judge Dr. James Jen-Kin scored the contest 116-112, while Raul Caiz tallied 115-113 and Julie Lederman had it 118-110, all for the winner Raheem. It was difficult to tell who was more stunned by the outcome the 10, 584 paying customers or Morales, who lost for only the third time in a spectacular 12-year career. Despite being on the business end of Raheem’s punches for most of the evening Morales was convinced he deserved the decision. “Raheem’s a difficult fighter,” Morales explained following the loss. “He never really wanted to fight. He threw punches and moved away, and I had a difficult time catching up to him.” Raheem struggled with his footing throughout the fight slipping four different times to the deck but caught a very big break in the 11th, when Morales tagged him with a lead right hand to the side of the skull. The punch drove Raheem sideways and it clearly appeared as if his right glove touched the canvas, as he labored to remain upright. However, referee Jon Schorle missed the apparent knockdown and Raheem, who grew up watching Morales fight throughout his career, notched the upset victory.
It was a different story for Morales this past March, in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand. It was not a night for those feint of heart. By the time it was over Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao’s face had been turned into a crimson mask. And the front of Morales’ pristine white trunks had been transformed into a pinkish hue from Pacquiao’s blood. Size, reach, and style proved to be the difference, as the former WBC world champion Morales pounded out a brutal but close 12-round unanimous decision over the Filipino star in front of 14,623 screaming fans. There were no knockdowns but numerous times over the course of the twelve savage rounds both men looked like they might be headed for the canvas. There were no titles on the line; instead it was a battle for pride to determine the best 130-pounder on the planet. An accidental clash of heads followed by two right hands to the face reduced Pacquiao’s right eye to a gory slit and he fought the second half of the bout with blood pouring from the cut that covered half his face. Picking his spots, moving and firing wicked counter right hands, Morales repeatedly nailed Pacquiao with searing shots and piled up enough points to win the super featherweight showdown on all three judges’ scorecards. Pacquiao was relentless and he repeatedly landed wicked combinations but in the end Morales’ titanium chin and searing right hands prevailed. Judge Paul Smith, Dave Moretti and Chuck Giampa all scored the bout 115-113, for the winner Morales. The angriest man in the arena after the fight was Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach. The talented trainer claimed the outcome of the fight might have been different if his fighter hadn’t been forced to wear a brand of gloves he didn’t like and that he wasn’t accustom to using. Instead of the Mexican brand Reyes gloves, generally considered a puncher’s glove, Pacquiao fought with softer gloves, known as Winning Gloves, because his promoter Murad Muhammad had agreed to adifferent model in the contract.
The fight was the third in their series with Morales winning the first encounter and Barrera capturing the last two. When the final bell sounded for the third and final time, both men continued throwing punches but the challenger Barrera had pounded out an electrifying twelve-round majority decision over Morales to capture his WBC super featherweight title. Barrera jumped on the champion early and rocked Morales a number of times over the first six rounds, with savage left hooks and whistling uppercuts. Morales finally found the range and rediscovered his rhythm with searing right crosses that tattooed the challenger’s skull in the seventh and eighth. Barrera rallied again in the ninth round and he jolted the champion with hammering left hooks that seemingly insured his second victory in this classic three-part war. However, the last two rounds were fought on guts and guile, as both men hammered away with sickening accuracy and relentless venom. The crowd at the MGM Grand spent much of the 12th, on their feet, as neither man eased up while they continued to pummel each other with wicked right hands, more lethal left hooks and screaming uppercuts. When it was over Barrera looked exhausted and Morales was bleeding from a broken nose and a badly swollen right eye that was nearly closed.
Morales first gained a national audience and the WBC super bantamweight crown by scoring an 11th round KO over Daniel Zaragoza back in September 1997. Morales continued planting opponents and in September 1998, he retained his WBC 122-pound belt by scoring a 4th round TKO over former world champion Junior Jones. In May 1999, Morales registered a 9th round TKO over Juan Carlos Ramirez, five months later he scored a 12 round unanimous decision over Wayne McCullough. Morales went on to score a controversial 12 rd. split decision over Barrera in his first fight back with Marcos Antonio in February 2000. Morales captured the interim WBC featherweight belt by scoring a 7th rd. TKO over Kevin Kelley in September 2000. Morales secured the belt with a 12 rd. UD win over the reigning champ Guty Espadas, in February 2001. Morales suffered the first loss of his career when he was outpointed by Barrera, in June 2002. Morales got back on the winning track and posted wins over Paulie Ayala (UD 12), Eddie Croft (TKO 3), Fernando Velardez (TKO 5), another victory over Guty Espadas (KO 3), Jesus Chavez (UD 12) and Carlos Alberto Hernandez (UD 12) before the loss to Barrera last November.
Strength: Morales’ style and strength and changed somewhat over the years since he first turned pro back in 1993. However, his greatest attribute remains his resolve and his courage. He will fight and battle with you all the way to the final bell. In the 3rd and last Barrera encounter, Marcos Antonio dominated the first six rounds but Morales rallied to make it a close fight. His best shot is now his right hand and facing the southpaw Pacquiao you can look for him to fire it all night long. His jab at times can be best described as workman-like, but he still has a nasty left hook, and an excellent right hand, which he can fire straight and also nail you with over the top. If he gets in close, look for Morales to throw searing uppercuts with either hand. He will use Pacquiao’s entire body as a target and he isn’t shy about digging into your ribs with either hand. Finally, when Morales establishes his rhythm, he can effortlessly shift his attack down stairs or upstairs depending on the situation. Morales was raised above a gym as a kid growing up in Tijuana and he isn’t short on little tricks to upset his opponent. Morales is a bigger and taller fighter than his opponent and it is Pacquiao who is stepping up in weight to 130.
Weakness: Morales is a slow starter and a rhythm fighter. Do that against a guy who throws bombs from the opening bell and you are inviting disaster. Using his last fight against Barrera as a measuring stick, Morales is posing more and throwing less leather. He labored to find his tempo in his last fight and he was rocked early by uppercuts in close quarters. While he did rally to make it a close bout, Barrera simply hit Morales far too often. By the end of his last fight, Morales’ nose was broken and his left eye was reduced to ground chuck. Now he is poised to step into the ring with someone who hits even harder with even greater accuracy.
——————————————————————————– Former IBF & WBO super bantamweight champion Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (40-3-2, 32 KO’s), General Santos City, Philippines. 26-year-old 5’6″ southpaw, 130 pounds. Trainer Freddie Roach, managed by Shelly Finkel. Style: Pound for pound Pacquiao just might be the hardest hitter in the sport. He is a banger/slugger but what sets him apart is his hand speed and his accuracy. He throws wicked three, four and five punch combinations that simply detonate on impact. Because he is a southpaw his shots are coming at you from different angles and unlike most lefthanders he isn’t cute or stylish. He will come right at you firing whistling hooks and staggering left crosses from the opening bell.
Significant Bouts: This past September in Los Angeles, Pacquiao hammered out veteran journeyman Hector Velasquez finally dropping him to his knees to score a late sixth round TKO. Pacquiao left little doubt he was still the hard charging Filipino with heavy hands that came up just a little short this past March. The first time he squared off with Morales. Both men flurried to open the 5th, but Pacquiao simply had more steam on his shots and a four-punch sequence rattled off Velazquez’s jaw early in the round. With 1:28 remaining in the 5th, Pacquiao caught Velazquez moving forward and he ripped him yet another stunning four-shot volley punctuated by a cracking left cross square on the jaw.
Moving in and out while firing whistling shots, Pacquiao began wearing Velazquez down midway through the round, as the former world champ repeatedly drilled his opponent with clean left crosses that rocketed off his skull. With 31-seconds to go in the 5th, Pacquiao caught Velazquez walking straightforward and nailed him with a scalding right hook to the jaw and the crowd responded in unison with a collective groan. Just before the bell to end the round, Pacquiao landed a leaping right hook that caught the tiring Velazquez once again flush on the chin. At the conclusion of the round Velazquez slowly returned to his corner on the backs of his heels. Pacquiao continued to grind Velazquez down to open the sixth round, as his opponent’s reflexes and ability to return fire diminished noticeably. At the 2:04 mark of the 6th, Pacquiao drilled Velazquez with two hard shots to the belly before his opponent was able to tie up the Filipino. Seconds later, Pacquiao nailed his opponent again with two more ramrod right jabs that snapped Velazquez’s skull straight back. Pacquiao shifted his attack downstairs and hammered Velazquez with a searing right hook to the ribs followed seconds later, by a savage left cross to the belly. With Velazquez noticeably tiring, Pacquiao caught him with slashing right hook to the jaw that again rocked the Mexican boxer.
With 49-seconds remaining in the round and the fans screaming, Pacquiao jolted Velazquez with a clean right hook to the jaw. The sound of the punch was audible over the noise of the crowd and again wobbled the durable but overmatched Mexican. Seconds later, Pacquiao drove Velazquez back into the corner and unloaded a brutal volley of unanswered head shots. Pacquiao landed no less than 15 searing punches before Velazquez was able to drop his shoulder and almost tackle the ex-champ to force a momentary clinch. Referee Lou Moret separated the boxers but there was no saving the staggering Velazquez from his fate. Seconds later Pacquiao drove Velazquez back into the ropes for the second time before the Mexican was able to escape. With less than 5-seconds to go in the round, Pacquiao trapped his opponent back against the ropes for the third time and unloaded five more withering shots that dropped Velazquez to his knees at the sound of the bell. The referee Moret sent Pacquiao to the neutral corner and with Velazquez’s head bowed and still in a kneeling position the veteran official began his mandatory eight-count. At the count of eight Velazquez was able to rise but with blood caked above his left eye he was in no condition to continue and Moret waved off the contest. The TKO went into the books as a victory for Pacquiao at 2:59 of the sixth round. His chief rival and protagonist Erik Morales, however, would not be so fortunate later in the evening on the same card against Raheem.
Last March in his first bout with Morales, Pacquiao made the classic mistake of loading up with his punches against an opponent who was bigger, stronger and a better boxer. Morales’ size and ability neutralized Pacquiao’s impressive power output and the Filipino slugger was always just one step away and one punch away from landing the heavy lumber. Rather than bang to the body and slow down Morales, Pacquiao repeatedly tried to land head shots and ultimately it cost him the decision. It was a bitter defeat for Pacquiao and it will be interesting this time to see if he makes adjustments and shifts his attack downstairs early in the bout rather than head hunting too early. Prior to the Morales loss, Pacquiao scored a four round TKO victory over Fahsan (3K Battery) Por Thawatchai, in December 2003 in the Philippines. The bout was an IBF featherweight eliminator for the #2 ranking; 3K-Battery hit the deck four times before the fight was stopped. Prior to that fight in May 2004, Pacquiao was involved in one of the most dramatic bouts of the year. Climbing off the deck to go the distance after being dropping three times in the first round is extraordinary. Somehow being able to salvage a draw after suffering a broken nose and swallowing enough blood to drop an ox borders on the miraculous.
Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez retained his WBA and IBF featherweight belts because of guts, will; and judging from the scorecards, perhaps divine intervention in earning a 12-round draw against Pacquiao. The Philippine southpaw sensation landed repeatedly in the first round with withering straight left hands to the chin. The hard hitting challenger floored Marquez three times in the opening stanza, busting him up in the process and breaking his nose while reducing the bottom one-third of his face to ground round. Nevertheless, Marquez rallied over the course of the fight to somehow come up with a majority draw. In November 2003, Pacquiao recorded the biggest win of his career when he scored an 11th round TKO over Marcos Antonio Barrera. It was a brutal night for the fighter nicknamed the “Baby Faced Assassin.” Barrera was overwhelmed and knocked down twice before eventually being halted by Pacquiao in eleven mostly one-sided rounds.
One of the most feared featherweights of his generation, Barrera spent most of the evening eating leather before his cornerman Jorge Barrera climbed into the ring and mercifully ended the beating, in the non-title fight. The southpaw IBF junior featherweight king Pacquiao kept Barrera on the business end of his shots from the second round on and repeatedly scored with wicked combinations. In that memorable fight, Pacquiao was down in 1st, Barrera down in 3rd and 11th. Pacquiao first captured the WBC flyweight crown when he scored an 8th rd. TKO over Chatchai Sasakul, in 1998. Constantly battling to make weight, Pacquiao defend the belt once before he was KO’d in three rounds by Medgoen Singsurat, ten months after winning the WBC crown. In June 2001, Pacquiao won the IBF super bantamweight crown by scoring a six-round TKO over Lehlohonolo Ledwaba. Pacquiao would go on to register a number of impressive victories; including Jorge Eliecer Julio (TKO 2), Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym (KO 1), and Emmanuel Lucero (TKO 3).
Strength: Pacquiao is the complete athlete if you are looking for an action fighter. He throws devastating shots with both hands and he delivers the goods with withering accuracy. Pacquiao’s best punch may be his jackhammer left cross; that’s the shot that both Barrera and Marquez didn’t have an answer for when they squared off with the Filipino star. Pacquiao is at his best when he is moving and throwing wicked combinations. He excels at firing and landing a hard left to the body followed by a whistling right hook to the chin. Pacquiao can put you on the deck with either hand, or grind you down with combinations.
Weakness: Pacquiao gets hit and part of his allure just like Arturo Gatti, is that he is constantly in high action bouts. He has been on the deck several times over the course of his career and in the past he has been vulnerable to counter right hands. When he controls the tempo of the fight Pacquiao can dictate pace and the punch output. However, as in the Marquez fight, when the action slows down and his opponent starts landing his jab Pacquiao struggles. When he faces Morales, the Mexican has an advantage in height and reach and once again that could effect the outcome.
Prediction: This is a “Pick ‘Em” fight and we can see scenarios for both fighters to notch a victory. Morales isn’t as bad as he appeared to be against Raheem this past September. He was simply flat. That said, Pacquiao didn’t fight his best bout when he squared off with the Mexican champion in their first encounter. Our biggest question is Morales really slowing down? He is two years older than Pacquiao and he’s been in a number of wars. However, Morales has a well-earned reputation as a boxer who fights up to or down to the level of his opposition. You have to think his performance against Raheem was an anomaly. Throughout his training camp trainer Freddie Roach has preached for Pacquiao to throw more body shots, more combinations and not to load up on his punches. We expect another high velocity encounter but this time out we see Pacquiao doing just enough to win a close and compelling 12 round decision.
