Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales 1 Review
An Outstanding Super Featherweight Contest
Before this fight Manny Pacquiao had already won world titles in three different weight classes - an outstanding feat for any pugilist. On March 19th 2005, he hoped he would add the WBC International Super Featherweight crown to his treasure chest, but there was one man in front of him determined to stop the on fire Pacquiao dead in his tracks.
Tough Mexican Erik Morales was 'Pac Man's' opponent that night, and while he was coming off a loss, this was to the very tough Marco Antonio Barrera which is forgivable, and prior to that he was in good form. He really fancied this fight, and he showed Pacquiao how much he wanted it from the opening bell.
Pacquiao And Morales Get It On
The first round went to Pacquiao as he was sharper and shipping cleaner punches, but it was evident at this stage that Morales wasn't going to be a sitting duck for Pacquiao's power shots like previous opponents. He was slipping punches well and trying to counter when possible.
The second probably went the way of Morales. He was being patient and landing more than his speedy opponent. Pacquiao was looking a bit too eager at this stage, and Erik was really making him pay for it.
Manny came out better in the third though and circled Morales; keeping his distance and throwing good amounts of punches.
Morales was a fiesty Mexican warrior though, and in the next round, he backed Pacquiao up and was landing some clean shots. At the end of the round, Pacquiao looked gassed; a worrying sign considering this was only the end of round four.
The fifth had more of the same apart from it got even worse for Pacquiao - he was cut just over the eye; a very bad place. He was already looking disspirited, and he was caught off balance by a good right hook from Morales.
It became evident in the sixth and seventh rounds that Morales could stop the combinations of Pacquiao with a single punch such was the strength difference. Morales' accuracy was outstanding and Pacquiao couldn't get off.
In the eighth and ninth sessions, Morales continued to control the pace and 'Sky Sports' commentator Jim Watt called Morales a 'ring general'. Pacquiao couldn't impose himself on Morales, but showed his heart by trying his very hardest.
Pacquiao looked exhausted coming out for the tenth though. In this and the eleventh round, the workrate of Pacquiao was good, but Morales was just too savvy and smart. He was fighting an excellent fight.
Morales nearly gave it away in the twelth though. To satisfy the fans, he traded with Pacquiao, and Morales was stunned several times in this round. However, Manny couldn't finish the job and even without the scorecards everyone knew that Morales had won an excellent fight.
The Judges Give Their Verdict On Pacquiao vs. Morales 1
All judges scored the bout 115-113 to Erik Morales. While the margins could have been wider, at least the bout went the right way, and Morales was rewarded for his hard work with a stunning victory.
How To Watch Pacquiao vs. Morales 1
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