This Saturday night on HBO PPV, Erik Morales will fight Manny Pacquiao for the second time. The first time, Morales came away with a close but clear cut unanimous decision win. Even though both have recent losses on their records, they are considered to be among the very best pound for pound fighters in the world. Morales is the better technical boxer of the two and has never been one to shy away from toe to toe exchanges. Pacquiao is a come forward slugger with punching power to spare. Pacquiao can end any fight with one of his left hands but failed to connect with one the first time around. These two super featherweights have contrasting styles that come together to produce fireworks. The betting odds are just about even again so anything can happen. This is a new fight and the two warriors look to be at the top of their games. Read on to see who the writers at RSR like to win.
Dan Ramos
Lots of fans have been waiting for this one. Although they are two exciting fighters, I would not expect this fight to blow out any speakers. Expect two rounds of Pac Man’s fury, which will be followed by several rounds of jabbing and occasional exchanges. The warrior will come out in both fighters in one round and that will be the ninth when Morales will connect and give Pac Man a TKO loss. Morales is destined to prove the loss to Raheem was a fluke.
Charles “The Hatchet” Brewer
If Pacquiao is smart, he would have studied the Raheem fight. I know styles make fights and these two are made for each other. My choice: Pac Man via 12 round majority decision.
Brian Wilbur
There is definitely some room for improvement for Pacquiao who did not work the body enough in the first fight. The large cut he suffered also hindered him. I also see very little room for improvement for Morales who fought a perfect fight last time, aside from the last round when he stood and traded with Manny. I see Pacquiao being busier and doing enough to win more of the early rounds. Getting past Morales’ defense to build an early lead will expend a lot of energy. I don’t see Manny having enough energy to finish the deal. Morales will rally late against a tired Pacquiao to pull even on the scorecards. I predict a 12 round draw.
Jason Tremble
In this rematch all eyes have been on Pacquiao. Will he be able to avenge his loss? Does Morales have anything left? I see both fighters at their best. If this stands up like their last meeting, an all out war is about to begin. I predict one knockdown by each fighter and a draw being declared at the end of the night.
Bill MacTrinder
Morales by late round TKO. Morales will prove to be to Pacquiao, what Forest was to Mosley, Mosley to De La Hoya, and Taylor to Hopkins. He has Pacquiao’s number. Look for Eric to give a better showing than his last against Raheem and for this fight to be worth the pay per view price tag of $44.95!
Geno McGahee
Whatever happens in this rematch, it will not be a repeat of the first bout. Erik Morales is going into this bout with more to prove than his opponent and will certainly affect the way that he fights. He will not want to leave any doubt, erasing his recent loss and starting anew. This mindset will bring a more aggressive Morales pushing the bout and going head to head and punch for punch with the knockout force, Pacquiao.
This will give “Pac Man” the best chance to win and it also creates a likely scenario of the bout being stopped on a cut due to a head butt. Barring the unfortunate early stoppage from a cut, I see a reversal of fortune in this rematch. There were several occasions in the first fight when Morales was really affected by body shots. Pacquiao will most likely throw to the body on a more consistent basis, which is the key to victory. I see an explosive first half of the fight with the “Pac Man” doing what no other man has been able to do: knock out Erik Morales. Morales is going to try to impose himself and establish that he is the stronger of the two, which he is, but he does not have the explosive power that his opponent does. Manny Pacquiao is going to chop away at the body when they are close and catch Morales with that quick left cross that has done so much damage to other great fighters. When the dust settles, Erik Morales will be helpless against the ropes, with the referee rescuing him in the eighth round.
Dan Tomasino
I think Morales will win by split decision, though Pacquiao might knock him down once in the early to middle rounds. I expect Pac-Man to come out with more variety than he had in the first fight, but Morales will adjust and overcome enough to win the fight. The judges might lean toward Pac-Man though based on their recent showings with Morales losing to Raheem. In the end, however, I think Morales is too good and too determined and will win this fight.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
This time around, Pac Man has the gloves he wants and no outside distractions. In Erik’s case, I feel he has more to prove since he is coming off the loss to Raheem and will be a rack of nerves trying to prove he can, once again, beat Manny. Manny is going to still have a tough fight, but if that bad cut that opened the first time around stays closed, I see Pacquiao winning a hard fought Split Decision.
Vito Trabucco
It will be tough fight but it seems that sometimes Morales doesn’t show up for some of his big fights. He will have big moments but ultimately Pacquiao will out hustle him. I’m going with Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision.
Terence Dooley
Morales will have an easier time and win by decision. Pac Man is one dimensional and overrated, hopefully yet another boxing lesson will hammer this point home. Erik will box at range then mix it up late to win by a wide margin. Erik is too smart for Pac Man.
Jose Antonio Rivera
I am going with Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision. Pacquiao will make the necessary adjustments he needs to win the rematch.
George Diaz Smith
I give Pacquiao great stamina and ample psychological edge in his punching power with his Reyes Gloves. Manny may be faster, but if Morales stays on the body like I think, he will it make a total difference. I don’t believe Pacman won’t be fighting only stiff left jabs and right crosses this time. In the end, I am going with Erik Morales by unanimous decision.
Isaac Barrio
Manny Pacquiao wins this fight by split decision. Why? Because Erik has had a long road of hard fought battles and it has taken its toll on the brave Mexican warrior.
