2003 "Trainer of the Year" Freddie Roach has predicted that Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao will win by a late round knockout against Erik "El Terrible" Morales in their showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 19. [details (http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=553)]

It's hard to say. Morales has a solid chin, but Pacquiao hits harder than anyone at that weight has for quite some time. I see Pacquiao knocking him out late as well, maybe round 9.

We will what these two fighters are really made of. ;)

can't wait for the fight to happen ...

It's hard to say. Morales has a solid chin, but Pacquiao hits harder than anyone at that weight has for quite some time. I see Pacquiao knocking him out late as well, maybe round 9.

Sorry to split hairs:

WE ARE TALKING SUPERFEATHER HERE YEAH? I DOUBT HE HITS HARDER THAN CORALLES DID AT SUPER FEATHER.

man he was monster for the weight it must have been killing him to make the weight.

Sorry to split hairs:

WE ARE TALKING SUPERFEATHER HERE YEAH? I DOUBT HE HITS HARDER THAN CORALLES DID AT SUPER FEATHER.

man he was monster for the weight it must have been killing him to make the weight.

I agree,

Perhaps as Pac grows into a true 130 pounder he can get into the same level as corrales, but when Corrales was fighting at 130, he was weighing about 145 or so.

I'm really surpised by Roach here.....

I can't believe he's picking his own fighter to win, & by a knockout.

He probably meant to say that Morales will win a close decision over Pacquiao, but became nervous under questioning.

Sorry to split hairs:

WE ARE TALKING SUPERFEATHER HERE YEAH? I DOUBT HE HITS HARDER THAN CORALLES DID AT SUPER FEATHER.

man he was monster for the weight it must have been killing him to make the weight.

Coralles is another story of course, and I doubt it if Morales can stand his punching power.

But on the Pacquiao-Morales fight, I believe it is pretty even and either one can knock out the other. It would be a matter of has the better chin and conditioning, better timing and speed, and better strategy. Morales was a super bantam and was at his best (in terms of the barrera trilogy) as a featherweight. If he is a real superfeather, he should have beaten barrera easily, but the opposite happened. And one should note that it was Barrera's first time also at 130. I therefore believe that fighting at 130 will not diminish the chances of Pacquiao being able to KO Morales, even early in the fight.

Coralles is another story of course, and I doubt it if Morales can stand his punching power.

But on the Pacquiao-Morales fight, I believe it is pretty even and either one can knock out the other. It would be a matter of has the better chin and conditioning, better timing and speed, and better strategy. Morales was a super bantam and was at his best (in terms of the barrera trilogy) as a featherweight. If he is a real superfeather, he should have beaten barrera easily, but the opposite happened. And one should note that it was Barrera's first time also at 130. I therefore believe that fighting at 130 will not diminish the chances of Pacquiao being able to KO Morales, even early in the fight.

i totally agree. morales was at his best at feather and has not proven himself completely at superfeather. he keeps on moving up and letting the best of the lower division (e.g. barrera and pacman) chase after him. it seems that he is more than willing to go after the smaller guys where he knows he has the advantage. it's too bad barrera barrera and exposed his true position at superfeather.

i also believe that manny's speed and power will still be effective at 130. he weighed 136 when he fought marquez and still carried the same power and speed. i think freddie is correct in saying that manny will punch harder and will be quicker at 130. freddie sees that superfeather will be manny's optimum weight class.

I'm really surpised by Roach here.....

I can't believe he's picking his own fighter to win, & by a knockout.

He probably meant to say that Morales will win a close decision over Pacquiao, but became nervous under questioning.


Hey jabs if there's anybody suprising here it's you. You find it suprising that Roach is picking up his own fighter to win here? Why have you heard of any trainer who picks his wards opponent to win? If you can find one, that will be more suprising. :eek: