115 Afficionados pick between Pac and Terrible

[ProBox1]

“Manny Pacquiao showed everyone what he was made against Barrera and Marquez, but now he's stepping up to 130 pounds, Morales' turf. Morales is too strong and crafty a boxer and won't come into this match as flat as Barrera was against Pacquiao. There will be a lot of fireworks in this bout, and only one man will be left standing at the end: Morales, after an ninth-round TKO.”
Michael Katz, The Detroit News

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“Pacquiao, probably in nine hellacious rounds.”
Mike Katz, MaxBoxing.com

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“Morales by unanimous decision over Pacquiao”.
Patrick Kehoe, SecondsOut.Com

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“Pac Man by decision. I like his speed and quickness to win this bout.”
Steve Kim, MaxBoxing.Com

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“Pac Man by decision.”
George Kimball, Boston Herald

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“Pacquiao KO11. Pac-Man is way too strong for Morales. Just look at his legs!!!! And he's got Freddie Roach in the corner.” Pat Knighton, ESPN

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“Morales by decision” Doug Krikorian, Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA)

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“Manny by KO 7.” Jeff Lacy, undefeated IBF Super Middleweight Champion

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“Manny by majority decision.” Franz Lidz, Sports Illustrated

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“Morales by KO 7. While the energy and power of Manny Pacquiao cannot be denied, what will happen when he faces Morales who is well nestled into the junior lightweight division and really should be fighting as a lightweight? Morales has faced the better competition and needs to rebound after a second loss to Barrera. Don't bury Tijuana's favorite pugilistic son and look for him to knock-out Pacquiao in the seventh.”
Ricardo Lois, Boxeomundial

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“Pacquiao by decision. No way El Terrible can handle Manila Ice. ” Thom Loverro, The Washington Times

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“I am going to go with Erik Morales by a unanimous decision. Due to his big fight experience and the fact that a second loss in a row would be devastating, Morales will find a way to win. I'm not taking anything away from Manny Pacquiao but the Juan Manuel Marquez fight did leave me wondering and Morales is a huge step up.” Ed Ludwig, BraggingRightsCorner.com

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“I gotta go with Manny Pacquiao. I like his speed, toughness and tenacity. Plus, he is from The Philippines. I like any Filipino to win.”Chris Maathuis, KLAS-TV (Las Vegas CBS)

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“Pacquaio-Morales is a tough one to pick. I see this as a slugfest with both men having their moments, and lots of them. I picture both fighters hurt, and free-flowing blood. In fact, hide the women and children. At the end of 12 brutal rounds, Erik Morales will have his hand raised with a unanimous decision victory.” Rich Marotta, TV Boxing Analyst / KFI & XTRA Sports Radio (LA)

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“Erik Morales in another close decision. This fight will truly be a war. However, there's one factor we must take into consideration; Erik Morales seemingly takes two rounds before he gets into the fight and that could spell disaster for him against a fighter like Manny Pacquiao, who starts throwing punches from the dressing room.” Efrain Martinez, KINC-TV (Las Vegas Univision)

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“Pacquiao has become the poster boy for fearless punching. But you have to wonder if he understands the pressure Morales is constantly under. When Pacquiao could not finish Marquez, it fueled speculation about strength. Morales will definitely not go away. Morales on a decision.” Joe Maxse, The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

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“Pacquiao in 11. With each move upward, Pacquiao's power has followed. On the other hand, Morales' power peaked at 126.” Franklin McNeil, Star-Ledger (Newark)

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“Morales will win by decision.”Gunnar Meinhardt, German Press Agency

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“Manny wins. Morales needs a rest, and the Pac-man is the wrong guy to take on after what Morales has been through his last few fights!”Larry Michael, WestwoodOne Radio /Ballroom Boxing

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“This is one of the most evenly matched big bouts in recent memory. Usually with almost every fight, I have some idea who will win (even if I’m wrong). However, this one has me perplexed. Only because I’ve been “boxed” into a corner, I’ll go with Morales by decision.” Bob Mladinich, Boxing Digest / The Fist

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“Erik Morales via unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao.” Robert Morales, Los Angeles Daily News Group

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[ProBox1]

“So many variables and unknowns heading into this fight. Can Morales keep going to the well? Is he draining too much from his body to stay at 130 lbs? Conversely, is Pacquiao going too far, too fast, fighting at 130 when not so very long ago he was a bantamweight? Both fighters are made for each other, in that each man loves to fight face-first fighters, and both are face-first fighters -- although both have much better boxing skills than they are given credit for. It'll be a tough, close, action fight, so close that I'm going to cheat and pick a draw.” Kieran Mulvaney, BoxinginLasVegas.com / TigerBoxing.com

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“I think this will be Pacquiao-Barrera all over again, with Manny dominating en route to a late-round stoppage. Morales' skills have been deteriorating over the past few fights, and Pacquiao will be much too fast for him.” Steve Nelson, Kuffler News Service

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“Morales TKO 11 in a brawl.” Jorge Ortiz, San Francisco Chronicle

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“Morales by decision.” Tony Paige, WFAN Radio (New York)

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“I see Pacquiao drawing Morales into a war from the opening bell. Morales has a torrid first four rounds but then his boxing takes over and he stops Pacquiao late in the fight (round 10 or 11). Accuracy and controlled pressure wins the day.” Graham Pearman, Boxing-central.com

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“I like Pacquiao by decision. He's just too fast and aggresive while Morales has to show the effects of so many wars lately. Morales should always be dangerous, though, especially as Pacquiao slows down in the last few rounds.” Jorge Pérez, El Nuevo Día (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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“Pacquiao late TKO victory, possibly stopped because of a cut.”
Santos Perez, Miami Herald

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“I have learned the hard way picking against Morales. I think he will win this fight with a 7th round knockout. Morales is too quick and has a dynamite chin and will not be stopped. The only way he can lose this fight is if he has to chase Pacquiao around the ring and loses on points. My guess is he catches him early, and takes this one rather easily.” Gary Pino, ********Boxing.com

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“Morales for me.” Jeff Powell, Daily Mail (London)

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“Morales in a career-defining dogfight, probably by late TKO. He has a great straight right hand and more one-punch power, which Barrera lacked to keep Pac Man honest. I have no doubt that Morales will be hurt in this fight, but he's only been floored once in a career of tough fights and is naturally much bigger. Pacquiao is a mini-Trinidad, but he runs into his Bernard Hopkins here against Morales” Jason Probst, MaxBoxing.com

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“I have complete confidence that Pacquiao will win by decision.”
Pat Putnam, Sports Illustrated Emeritus

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“Morales is bigger, stronger, tougher and has a better chin than Pacquiao. Those qualities will carry him through a close, sensational fight. He just better watch out for that left hand. Morales W12.“ Dan Rafael, USA Today

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“Speed is not Morales' best asset, and world-class guys who have better hand speed than him--like Barrera--give him major problems. Pacquiao is probably the fastest fighter Morales has ever faced, and I expect the Filipino to zip in those quick left hands all night long, ride out a few scary moments when Morales' strength and power come to the fore, and capture a unanimous decision. Pacquiao W 12.” Eric Raskin, The Ring

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“Pacquiao's power is his only weapon. In Morales you have solid offensive skills and good defensive movement. I see Morales hitting the canvas in the early rounds but coming back to dominate the second-half of the fight. Morales W12 Pacquiao.”
John Raygoza, 15rounds.com

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“Pacquiao has the speed and skill to defeat Morales. The later rounds will probably determine the fight, but I predict a TKO by Pac-Man.” Carlos Rivera, KCOX News-TV (Los Angeles)

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“Morales, in a close one, going the distance.” Sharon Robb, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

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“Viva Morales!” Mitch Roberts, KVBC-TV (NBC Las Vegas)

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“Morales by unanimous decision. Pacquiao was exposed as limited in his bout against Juan Manuel Marquez. Morales is too good a boxer for him. Pacquiao's only chance is a lucky punch or two.” Michael Rosenthal, San Diego Union-Tribune

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“Morales on a late-round stoppage. I believe that he will weather his rival's early intensity and start picking his shots and being accurate down the stretch.” Lem Satterfield, The Baltimore Sun

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"Morales is such a lion, but I think I like Pacquiao in this by split decision." John Scheinman, Ballroom Boxing / The Washington Post

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“Morales by decision.” Ed Schuyler, Jr., Associated Press Emeritus

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“Morales is the bigger man, as well as the harder hitter. The Achilles heel in Morales is Morales himself. He fought the third fight with Barrera without extended passion. He can't do that with Pacquaio. Pacquaio will press from start to finish. Does Morales still have extended passion? He better. My guess is he won't. Pacquaio by late stoppage.” Rob Scott, ********boxing.com

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“This will be a war and will go the distance but until I see Manny Pacquiao actually lose a real close fight to Morales, I'll take Pacquiao to win every time. Manny will win a tough fight but by a unanimous decision.” Colonel Bob Sheridan, International Commentator

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[ProBox1]

“After what he did to Barrera, can you ever doubt the Pac Man? Pacquiao 10th round TKO.” Tim Smith, Daily News (New York)

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“Morales by decision.” Steve Springer, Los Angeles Times

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“A lot of people are going to pick Pacquiao based upon his devastating victory over Marco Antonio Barrera. And even though Barrera beat Morales 2 out of 3 times, styles make fights. I think El Terrible's size and strength will give Pac-Man more then he can handle. Morales by TKO 10.” Julius Stecker, TalkingBoxing.com

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“Manny completely outmanned and manhandled Marco Antonio Barrera when they fought in Nov. 2003. Erik Morales is in for some of the same. Pacquaio by decision.”
William Stickney, Houston Chronicle

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“Pacquiao has some of the best power I've seen out of the lighter weights. He will win with a knockout inside of five rounds.”
Rick Strasser, KVBC-TV (NBC Las Vegas)

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“Love Pacquiao's vibrant style, but I think he's a bit too one dimensional. Morales's experience, a la his wars with MAB, have taught him much. I'll take Morales via TKO in 8.” Tim Struby, ESPN The Magazine

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“Morales (majority decision). After round 1 against Marquez, Pacquiao had his hands full for the remainder of their fight. Morales is coming off a tough loss, and will have the pride factor kick in. I think both fighters will trade plenty of bombs, but I see Morales landing a higher percentage.” Trae Thompson, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

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“Pacquiao by decision. I believe that Morales has engaged in too many wars, and Pacquiao will outhustle and hurt him along the way to a unanimous verdict.” Jess Trail, ********boxing.com

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“Pacquiao by decision.” Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Three-Time World Champion

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“Morales by decision.” Felix Trinidad, Sr., 1995 / 2000 BWAA “Trainer of the Year”

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“On paper, as Manny Pacquiao convincingly defeated Marco Antonio Barrera, who in turn beat Erik Morales in their third fight, you would naturally expect Pacquiao to win this fight. But boxing bouts are not fought on paper and I expect the bigger Erik Morales to win a 12-round points decision, in a very entertaining and exciting fight." Paul Upham, Secondsout.com

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“Morales wins yet another grueling war flooring Pacquiao in the later rounds as Morales finds a home for his left uppercut and right hand in the mid rounds.”
German Villasenor, BoxingGladiators.com

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“Erik Morales in a close decision.” Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News

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“This should be a great fight. Morales' length could pose a problem, but Pacquiao's aggression wins out. Manny in late TKO.” John Whisler, Express-News (San Antonio)

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“Morales isn’t physically strong enough to make the jump in weight for Pac Man an issue. Erik gives up his height and falls into uppercuts ad nauseum. If Manny has the patience to let Morales trap himself, Manny’s speed and strength will be too much to overcome. Pacquiao W 12” Johnnie Whitehead, The Ring / KO Magazines

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"Morales by decision. Pacquiao will look good early, might even score a knockdown. But Morales needs this fight to re-establish himself and will dominate later rounds and win on heart and smarts.” George Willis, New York Post

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“Pacquiao by late KO.”
Winky Wright, first undisputed 154 Pound Champion in 29 Years

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FINAL TALLY: MORALES 54 / PACQUIAO 51 / DRAW 11

[Slipx]

I'm not a fan of either guy, but I've seen them both fight, and know pac will win, unless morales developed some super punch he's been hiding from me that I didn't know about, he's gonna get punked. The ring is like 18ft, small ass ring, he's gonna get punked.

anyone that feels like betting on this PM me on fight night

[fist-of-fury]

http://www.********boxing.com/chee/chee022805.htm

It would also be interesting to look at what Felix and his dad predict.

Yeah, I noticed that too and it's so weird son Tito picking Pac while dad Felix Sr. going for Morales. Maybe the father-and-son wants to play safe, he-he.

[FistFest]

I GOT AN OBSERVATION. Yup, Morales is up with 54 votes against Manny's 51 BUT a lot of people in the boxing community BELIEVES that Manny is more capable of knocking out Morales than vice versa. Most in Morales 54 votes picked El Terrible to win by decision but a good number of Manny's 51 votes predicted a Pac win by KO. It amazes me that boxing journalists see the smaller man who started his career in the Flyweight div as the one packing more TnT going into this fight. Wow. Pac by KO.

[Crouching Tiger]

I GOT AN OBSERVATION. Yup, Morales is up with 54 votes against Manny's 51 BUT a lot of people in the boxing community BELIEVES that Manny is more capable of knocking out Morales than vice versa. Most in Morales 54 votes picked El Terrible to win by decision but a good number of Manny's 51 votes predicted a Pac win by KO. It amazes me that boxing journalists see the smaller man who started his career in the Flyweight div as the one packing more TnT going into this fight. Wow. Pac by KO.

I also observed that a number of them mentioned Erik's being on "too many wars" already which could be a big factor in this fight, like this one:

“Pacquiao by late KO. Manny throws many many punches and Morales catches too many punches. I think Morales, although one of the best that have ever fought, might have seen his best days.” Butch Gottlieb, BoxinginLasVegas.com

I believe wear and tear DOES affect a boxer's performance big, slowing him down considerably. And with Pac's superior hand speed, I think Pac wins this one.