Where else to start out but with Manny Pacquiao’s brilliant demolition of Erik Morales last week in Las Vegas?
Going in, Pacquiao was the favorite. But who would have thought the fabulous Filipino would take apart one of the greatest fighters of this generation like that?
A slugfest turned into a rout, probably because Morales is starting to wear down. All those wars through the years were apparent as El Terrible struggled to stay upright on wobbly legs. All those years of draining himself to make weight. All those years of gaining too many pounds between fights — all of it caught up with Morales in one fell swoop.
Combine that with the furious Pac-Man attack that had him on his heels for most of the second half, and you have a fight that probably was determined before the first-round bell clanged.
Morales’ demise may have seemed sudden, especially in light of his victory against Pacquiao just 10 months ago. But when you consider that it has been nine years since he won the WBC super bantamweight title from Daniel Zaragoza at the County Coliseum — and then you start to calculate all of the punches he has absorbed from the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Junior Jones and Pacquiao — then his fall actually may have been long overdue.
If this is the end, then a thank you is in order. Fans never walked away disappointed from a Morales fight. Not in El Paso, not in Detroit, not in L.A. — not anywhere. That, as much as his titles in three weight classes, will make his inclusion into the International Boxing Hall of Fame almost automatic.
Big fight update
Who knows whether the postponed lightweight title fight between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo will return to El Paso? The promoters, Bob Arum and Gary Shaw, certainly are saying all the right things. If you ask them, the rubber match will be at the Don Haskins Center, probably in June.
But this being boxing, you never really know. What if a Las Vegas casino comes into the picture and plunks down $5 million for a site fee? Most promoters would make the switch without hesitating.
But who knows? Maybe Arum and Shaw, who have both enjoyed tremendous success in El Paso, want a rabid Mexican crowd cheering on the participants, rather than an arena full of sleepy high rollers in Vegas.
The two promoters are sure trying their best to make up for the cancellation, which was forced when Corrales injured a rib two weeks ago. The Feb. 4 card is solid, and Rolando Reyes — Castillo’s new opponent — certainly looks like he’s capable of giving Castillo a fight.
But if El Paso really is in the running for Corrales- Castillo 3, the last thing the local crowd would want is a Reyes upset. Adds some drama to the Feb. 4. card.
Gatti back again
Arturo Gatti is back in action (7:45 p.m. Saturday, HBO) against undefeated Thomas Damgaard. It seems, no matter where Gatti’s career may stand, the guy sells out arenas. The Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City will be packed yet again — surprising considering Thunder was demolished last time out against Floyd Mayweather.
Whatever happens, Gatti needs to get out soon.
HBO also will show the replay of Pacquiao-Morales 2.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6166.
