PACMAN GOBBLES EL TERRIBLE

By Moncayo Blackbull

INSIDEBOXING.COM  (November 20, 2006) – Manny Paquiao rightfully claims the mythical pound for pound crown with his brilliant warrior style destruction of Mexico’s finest Erik Morales.

Pacquiao started his devastating performance with a “calm before the storm” first round. The fight started slow and about as technical as you will ever see these two fighters fight. It wasn’t long before Pacquiao pops Morales onside of his face by coming over the top of one of those technical jabs. That’s all it took to get the Mexican’s blood to start boiling and the fight was on!

Morales came on strong firing fierce shots and combinations but it was not enough to detain an agreeable Pacquiao who fired back with his own version of hand guided missiles.

The problem Morales faced in with Pacquiao is the “Pac Man” has no shut off switch, once turned on there’s no stopping till the fights over, win, lose or draw.

Pacquiao drops Morales in the second round with a power left hand shot but surprisingly it was the development of Pacquiao’s right hook that confused Morales. Morales gets up and retaliates with his own barrage of punches. Both fighters exchange blows valiantly as the crowd goes wild. The round ends and you can see the questionable look on Morales’ face as he heads to his corner.

Round three began as the previous round ended, toe-to-toe action. It wasn’t long when Morales meets the canvas for a second time. And you can see Morales was just no match for Pacquiao as Pacquiao would get the better shots in during the hostile exchanges. However, Morales picks himself up and goes right back to work, trying desperately to get Pacquiao to slow down and show some respect.

Pacquiao on a mission would continue to press the action on a hurt but game Morales. The third and final knock down came at the end of the round, this time Morales stays down and shakes his head at his corner where they were encouraging him to get up.

After the fight Morales said there are times to get up and a time to say goodbye. He also said Pacquiao was just too much and great fighter.

Nonetheless, I tip my hat to Morales for fighting the most feared fighter in the division, not only once but three times.

Pacquiao put self proclaimed Mexico’s hero Marco Antonio Barrera on his butt and made him quit. Barrera simply quit without a fight, without giving a valiant effort, he left the ring in shame. Now when the name Pacquiao is mentioned to Barrera, he puts his head down and says it’s up to my managers.

Pacquiao also put Juan Manuel Marquez down three times when they fought each other, however Marquez, showed the heart of a gladiator picked himself up and fought to a draw.

Still, you don’t hear Marquez eagerly talking about a rematch.

When asked about his next fight and if he wanted Barrera, Pacquiao said, he does not want to discuss his next fight right now but wants to go home and enjoy his victory.

My son-in-law told me when the pizza deliver person came to the door, it was a Philippine female (Maybe I should say Filipina?). As they discussed the fight, she said “He is Elvis in the Philippines!” Pacquiao, go enjoy and celebrate your victory, you deserve it. In my book you have taken the top spot as pound for pound fighter.