AN OPPORTUNITY YOU JUST COULDN’T TURN DOWN
Las Vegas, NV-One of the Philippines’ most treasured prospects, Randy Suico, will finally leave the protective bubble and face WBA lightweight champion, Juan Diaz. Suico, 24-2 (21 KOs), has an impressive knockout ratio, but that was at 130lbs. Originally set to fight on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s win over Oscar Larios, Suico will instead serve as a last minute substitute. The bout will be on tonight’s undercard of Fernando Vargas’ attempt to gain revenge against Shane Mosley.
REMEMBER, REMEMBER, THAT DAY IN JUNE 2001
Many Filipinos will not forget the night of June 21, 2001, when an unknown fighter from the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao, stepped into the ring on a huge PPV undercard against an established IBF 122lb champion, Lehlo Ledwaba. Pacquiao was also a last minute substitute and was such an underdog and an unknown; Las Vegas sportsbooks didn’t post any odds on the fight. The “Pacman” walked all over Ledwaba, which kick started the Icon’s rise to boxing superstardom. The question now becomes can Suico pull off an even bigger upset against the “Baby Bull” Juan Diaz, a young aggressive fighter, who has not yet peaked professionally.
SUICO HAS NEVER RISEN HIS GAME
In his two losses, vs. Mzonke Fana and Javier Jauregui, Suico has cement in his shoes, and was not willing to throw punches. Both losses were considered upset losses to those who believed Suico was the next great Filipino champion. One can assume that the two losses simply imply that Suico is not world championship material. However, his stuff, punctuated by a devastating uppercut that hurt both Fana and Jauregui. Randy just never threw it enough. Now against an undefeated champion, Diaz, 29-0 (14KOs), Suico will have to throw that power uppercut overtime.
ALL MORALES HAS LEFT IS “TERRIBLE” TALK!
It’ll be hard for Top Rank to sell Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales III to a fan, one who has never seen either fighter before. Although both fighters have split fights, Morales has lost three of his last four bouts and was destroyed by Pacquiao in his last fight. Add to that, the question of whether or not Morales can make weight, it’ll be a real challenge to prove Morales is even worthy of a PPV fight.
ERIK SAYS MANNY DIDN’T BEAT HIM!
The only thing Erik Morales can really do is talk and build up enough personal heat between he and Manny to draw even bigger numbers than the firs two bouts. Morales has already begun the battle of words, stating he’s the reason why Pacquiao is famous and that he beat himself in the second fight!
ROACH WOULDN’T INVITE ERIK TO PARTY
Freddie Roach has gone on record stating that he personally does not like Morales. The feud between Filipino and Mexican fight fans are at a high point and you can bet things won’t be as peachy in Las Vegas as it was in Manila a couple of weeks ago. You won’t hear Morales say, “Salamat Pilipinas” (this November.
