MANNY PACQUIAO will win his rematch with Erik Morales on January 21 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada—but just barely, the Boxing Times magazine predicted on its website Monday.
“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,” the Los Angeles-based publication said in its preview of “The Battle” between the Filipino icon and the Mexican legend to be shown on HBO pay-per-view.
Morales, who carved out a unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao the first time they met March 19, 2005, at the MGM Grand also in Las Vegas, was “simply flat” and wasn’t as bad as he appeared to be when he lost to Zahir Raheem on September 10, the magazine said.
However, Boxing Times noted that Pacquiao didn’t “fight his best bout” when he squared off with “El Terrible,” who has to prove the loss to Raheem, a former US Olympian, was an anomaly.
“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,” said the magazine, which was first published in 1993.
“This is a ‘Pick ‘Em’ fight and we can see scenarios for both fighters to notch a victory,” it added.
Interestingly, Ring Magazine, printed since 1922 and considered the bible of boxing, predicted Morales to repeat over Pacquiao.
Boxing Times also said that throughout Pacquiao’s training camp his trainer Freddie Roach has preached for his ward “to throw more body shots, more combinations and not to load up on his punches.”
It noted that in the first bout with Morales, Pacquiao made the “classic mistake” of loading up with his punches against a foe 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,” the magazine said.
Noting his strengths, Boxing Times said Pacquiao is the complete athlete “if you are looking for an action fighter,” throwing devastating shots with both hands and delivering them with “withering accuracy.”
“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,” it added.
