Manny-Morales, They Meet, Event Set

From www.fightnews.com NEWS FLASH Morales-Pacquiao Presser! By Karl Freitag In front of the biggest press turnout Top Rank has ever had in Los Angeles, superstars Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao met for the first time today prior to their March 19 superfight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Morales said, "I had three great fights last year. It didn't finialize the way I had hoped it to, but I'm very satisfied with my performances. I didn't want to take anyone easy coming back. I think this will be a great, explosive fight." Pacquiao promised Morales, "I'm going to give you a real good fight." Pacquiao's promoter Murad Muhammad stirred things up a bit when he stated that Pacquiao destroyed a legend in Barrera, knocked down Marquez three times and now "he's going after the top Mexican." Promoter Bob Arum later told Fightnews.com, "This smells like it's going to do tremendous business because Morales Barrera did big, but it was two Mexicans. I think a Filipino and a Mexican brings another element to it, because energizes over two million Filipinos in Southern California." Ticket prices are $75-$400 and seats go on sale Friday at noon. Only the main event was announced. (More to come) Wednesday, January 12 2005

Comments (20)

ELPacman

The way I see the fight going is Manny will be backing up Morales the whole night, the pace he's going to set from the opening bell will be something Morales never dealed with before. Instead of getting stronger as he usually does in late rounds(cause of slow pace), he's going to be spent from the early fast pacing Manny is going to set on him. Manny in conditioning he was for Barrera which I believe he will be for this one as well with the time he's getting now, Morales will simply not be able to keep up. I predict either early 1 punch KO or late stoppage. I don't see Morales keeping up with the pace, hand speed, or power of Manny. Though anything can happen and Morales is one rugged war torn bastard :)

21y ago

lapulapu

yah man. Still having trouble to believing it. Back when we we talked about it, it was nothing more than a dream fight specially with the Marquez draw. Ohhh man I'm so excited. Yes Manny will be the underdog but that comforts me cuz that's when he fights his best, when no one is giving him much of a chance and when the odds are like you said are well stacked up against him. It fuels his hunger. This is a very good fight. A macho guy like Erik is godsend for Pacquiao. Although money is a big issue, Pacman wants to beat the best to show that he is the greatest out there. So its not only money for Pacman which is identical to Erik. This is indeed an exciting match up. This is also the first time Pacquiao is stepping into the realm of Flash Elorde. FE ruled the 130 lb weight for 7 years during his time.

21y ago

m00ks

yo mooks this fight finally happened: (remember how we use to talk about this back in september-november or when ever,back in the day lol) its gonna be great even tho the odds are stacked up against your boy manny i do wish him luck (i hate morales) yah man. Still having trouble to believing it. Back when we we talked about it, it was nothing more than a dream fight specially with the Marquez draw. Ohhh man I'm so excited. Yes Manny will be the underdog but that comforts me cuz that's when he fights his best, when no one is giving him much of a chance and when the odds are like you said are well stacked up against him. It fuels his hunger.

21y ago

evosbm

Next question is, will Morales box this time? Will he use his jab more keeping Pac at a safe distance and take potshots at him with his right hand? Or will he brawl again, as usual? Honestly, I hope he'll be drawn into a brawl, 'cuz that's when Pac will have his best chance to unload his powershots. well EM is also capable of boxing his way to win the fight. he did that to Carlos Hernandez and MAB3 (in some rounds). it's very possible that he'd do that to Pacman too. i think EM's gonna use a lot more of left jabs and right uppercuts. EM's style is gonna be showing more like what he showed against Hernandez. the problem with hernandez is he was so open that EM countered him and connect more while Hernandez was just so inaccurately throwing his punches. but what's gonna be EM's problem against Pac is he'll never know whether Pac's gonna throw a left straight or left uppercut (new weapon). plus Pac's quickness will get him inside EM and hit those ribs like crazy. Pac's gonna be fighting in and out. he'll swarm EM. ;)

21y ago

evosbm

I know Erik wants to fight Manny just to prove he's better than Barrera. He took this fight out of pride...whatcha think thrilla, does he know what he's getting himself into? it could be but am sure he himself knows that he's betting on a 50/50 chances. if nobody goes down the canvas and the decision goes to score cards, EM has a big chance of winning. i think that is EM's goal.

21y ago

miron_lang

Murad acts like pacman killed marquez n i disagreed but now that i think of it, marquez not wanting to fight him, Pacman KO'd marquez in 13! I hope pacquiao beats tha livin shit out of morales and i hope barrera beats pacquiao If barrera doesnt fight pacqiao i will be really disappointed in him and he would not be my favorite fighter nemore if he ducks pacquiao, THEY GAVE HIM A CHANCE! Same with Marquez but Marquez officially chickened out, Marquez could've beat him if they had a rematch Good Post! I AGREE! :)

21y ago

m00ks

I agree with you here...Pac does have a pretty scary, uptempo fighting rate. Hopefully Morales opts to use his range and boxing ability to throw Pac off early. Morales will have to hit Pacquiao with punches from different angles. I also think his uppercut will be a useful punch later on when Pac has slowed down. Maybe he can catch him on the way in. First time Pac hits Morales, Morales is gonna be thinking, "god damn this little fuckers 1-2 is quick". If Morales would stick to the outside, he's have such an easier time. Pop the jab then let those uppercuts loose when the kid's coming in. But I think Pac's gonna catch him with one, get him pissed and then sweet science will be thrown out the window. I LOVE BOXING LOL!!!1

21y ago

THRILLAinmanila

Not much man...just hyped up about this fight. This seems to be an instant classic even before it begins. I hope that Morales wins but it's definitely going to go down to the wire either way. Anyway...I got full support for my boy Morales. Anyone want to put down a gentlemans bet on the fight? I agree with you buddy. You can go visit a thread I started in the Fantasy Betting section entitled "Pacquiao-Morales" bet. No holds barred gentleman's betting going on there :D

21y ago

oldgringo

LOL. Just like my answer to jose's post on the other thread re: the "little asian" being brought to school by the mexican..well..if the boxing gods are with Pac come fight night we will see the little asian make a taco salad out of the Mexican... :p I just need to stop talking about this fight because I'm afraid I'll have a heart attack from thinking about it too much. Now all I need is Tito/Nard, Toney/Vitali, Cotto/Tszyu, and Lacy/any good opponent and I'll be set for the year.

21y ago

Hurlex

21y ago

THRILLAinmanila

I agree with you here...Pac does have a pretty scary, uptempo fighting rate. Hopefully Morales opts to use his range and boxing ability to throw Pac off early. Morales will have to hit Pacquiao with punches from different angles. I also think his uppercut will be a useful punch later on when Pac has slowed down. Maybe he can catch him on the way in. First time Pac hits Morales, Morales is gonna be thinking, "god damn this little fuckers 1-2 is quick". LOL. Just like my answer to jose's post on the other thread re: the "little asian" being brought to school by the mexican..well..if the boxing gods are with Pac come fight night we will see the little asian make a taco salad out of the Mexican... :p

21y ago

Tha_Greatest6475

ya Murad acts like pacman killed marquez n i disagreed but now that i think of it, marquez not wanting to fight him, Pacman KO'd marquez in 13! I hope pacquiao beats tha livin shit out of morales and i hope barrera beats pacquiao If barrera doesnt fight pacqiao i will be really disappointed in him and he would not be my favorite fighter nemore if he ducks pacquiao, THEY GAVE HIM A CHANCE! Same with Marquez but Marquez officially chickened out, Marquez could've beat him if they had a rematch

21y ago

oldgringo

very true, he was stronger than Barrera late but his inability to cope with the early pressure given by MAB is what cost him the fight. He gave a lot of rounds away by conceding to Barrera's superior speed. Mind you I can see Manny working faster than Barrera was cuz he naturally is. I agree with you here...Pac does have a pretty scary, uptempo fighting rate. Hopefully Morales opts to use his range and boxing ability to throw Pac off early. Morales will have to hit Pacquiao with punches from different angles. I also think his uppercut will be a useful punch later on when Pac has slowed down. Maybe he can catch him on the way in. First time Pac hits Morales, Morales is gonna be thinking, "god damn this little fuckers 1-2 is quick".

21y ago

mr_bojangles

21y ago

m00ks

Barerra is the best body puncher of all the little guys and Morales ate every one he threw at him. Morales took every body shot and was (IMO) stronger than Barerra in the 11th and 12th. very true, he was stronger than Barrera late but his inability to cope with the early pressure given by MAB is what cost him the fight. He gave a lot of rounds away by conceding to Barrera's superior speed. Mind you I can see Manny working faster than Barrera was cuz he naturally is.

21y ago

phallus

Erik should be commended for accepting this fight. :) Usually, a big fighter coming off a big loss will play it safe and pick a smaller fry on his come back. Good for wounded ego and for regaining lost confidence. But, my oh my, he has to pick the Pacman himself! I feel sorry for him already! But I give him an "A" for bravery!! :p i think Morales wants to use his frustration and rage from losing MAB - EM III on Manny. if this fight actually happens, it'll be a war!

21y ago

oldgringo

That's when he controls the pace and given those few first rounds of low output. When you're 2 inches taller, your ribs are just asking to get hit, and we all know how body shots wear your ass down. Barerra is the best body puncher of all the little guys and Morales ate every one he threw at him. Morales took every body shot and was (IMO) stronger than Barerra in the 11th and 12th.

21y ago

m00ks

It won't happen...Morales is too strong in the closing rounds. That's when he controls the pace and given those few first rounds of low output. When you're 2 inches taller, your ribs are just asking to get hit, and we all know how body shots wear your ass down.

21y ago

THRILLAinmanila

Morales starts somewhat slow but usually builds up and stays at a very high pace after the first few rounds. Both he and Pacquiao have great stamina so we are likely to see classic championship rounds as the fight comes to a close. I think Manny will have to get him with several good shots in a row to take him down and eventually out. If Pac builds a large enough lead early it could be troublesome for Morales to have to mix it up later on. Its anybody's ballgame. I guess the one who is able to establish himself early on and do the early damage will have the edge on this one......

21y ago

oldgringo

Erik indeed gets stronger as the fight wears on. Manny's best chance is to finish him before the 5th round.. Morales starts somewhat slow but usually builds up and stays at a very high pace after the first few rounds. Both he and Pacquiao have great stamina so we are likely to see classic championship rounds as the fight comes to a close. I think Manny will have to get him with several good shots in a row to take him down and eventually out. If Pac builds a large enough lead early it could be troublesome for Morales to have to mix it up later on.

21y ago