Can Erik Morales, 1-3 in his last four bouts, somehow avenge January’s KO loss to Manny Pacquiao this Saturday in Las Vegas. Judging by our current poll, there’s a small but vocal percentage of SecondsOut’s readers who think he can… ditto with SecondsOut’s writers…
I think Morales will raise a few eyebrows – and cheers – in this fight. I expect Pac-Man to win but let’s not forget Erik won the first fight and, even in January’s rematch, was ahead after six rounds. I plum for Manny on points, but Morales won’t lay down – ever. – Ant Evans
Not sure how much Morales has left. I suspect by the way he looked against Zahir Raheem and then Pacquiao that he doesn’t have much. Plus, he needed to go with some weight control group to get himself in condition. I think Pacquiao will take him apart again. Pacquiao TKO 9. – Tim Smith
Many people think that Morales is going to get knocked out again, and they could well be right. However, given Morales has taken his weight extremely seriously this time around, I think he has enough in the tank to go the whole 12 rounds. I see Pacquiao taking a hard fought decision here, dominating in the later round when the weight drained Erik gets tired. Morales should be fighting at 140lb by now, and getting down to 130 is just unnatural. I think it is a little sick for Arum and Co. to put him back in there with the ferocious Pac Man so soon, as the fight will be an enormous toll on the veteran’s body win, lose or draw. – Ben Cohen
An improved performance from Morales will not be enough to overcome the swarming Pac-Man who will triumph on points after 12 exciting, give and take rounds. – Mark G. Butcher
Manny Pacquiao has Morales’ number now. For the great fighter that he was, all the wars and the extra weight have caught up with him. The Mexican great will grit it out to last the distance, but ‘Pacman’ will win on points. – Paul Upham
The Pac-Man in eight – it will be like January all over again. I just can’t see how Morales can do any better. – Sanjeev Shetty
Most folks wrote off Barrera after his KO loss to Pacquiao, and look what happened… Morales is made of the same stuff, and in addition to reuniting with his father as trainer, he seems to be on track to healthily making weight. I think he’ll stay competitive longer this time out, likely by doing more boxing than brawling. But I also think the peaking Pacman, boosted by his potential shining future with Golden Boy Promotions, will still have too much for him. Pacquiao by UD.” – Sean Waisglass
If Erik Morales has given 100 per cent effort throughout his career, then expect him to double that this time around. It remains to be seen if the beating he took last time out has had a lasting effect on him, but this is truly a ‘do or retire’ affair for the Mexican warrior. We all know what Pac brings to the table and this will be another explosive battle. Too close to call in my opinion but if I had to, and I do, I’d pick Morales shading it over 12 brutals or stopping Pac late. Morales TKO11 – Michael Norby
Manny Pacquiao looks to be an unstoppable force right now, his non-stop aggression made possible due to his incredible conditioning. And while Erik Morales was once equally as formidable, he is not at the peak of his powers any longer – unlike Manny. I feel the human dynamo that hails from the Philippines will simply have too much strength and fitness for the Mexican legend who, despite beating Pac-Man on points the first time around, has a massively high mountain to climb. Look for Erik to take a ton of punishment, especially in the middle to late rounds, before being stopped, while still on his feet, in the eleventh round of a white-hot battle. – James Slater
Morales has seen his last great victory. He will not rise up and win this one. Pac-Man will wear him down in ten or less. – Jerry Glick
I picked Morales before and many people minimize how good he was doing in the second fight before he ran out of gas. For this match, I believe he arrives in top condition, but his 1-3 record in recent fights and the punishment he has received last time out play like a huge psychological disadvantage. It will be a great fight with the Asian winning by a slim margin. – Juan Pablo Manfredi
