Morales-Pacquiao: My perspective.

1st round: A very competitive round, both fighters had their moments. However, Manny got the better part of Erik, as a result of a mounted attack to the body. 2nd round: Morales began to impose his size. He weathered

the early storm; Erik showed he had a tremendous chin. Manny seemed to be a bit surprised that Morales was able to absorb such punishment, especially at close range. Erik boxed very well and avoided going down.

3rd round: Tremendous back and forth action from both fighters. Both fighters traded on the inside. However, Erik was picking his spots carefully. Although Manny was very fast in working the body, Morales neutralized “Pacman’s” speed by boxing and using his jab effectively.

4th round: It seems that Pacquiao is running out of steam. His punches were beginning to lose pop. Erik became the aggressor, while Manny was backing up.

5th round: Pacquiao sustained a cut on his right eyebrow as a result of an accidental head butt. Both fighters collided heads as each moved inside at the same time. As the cut opened up and began bleeding, Manny begun to look a little nervous as well disorientated. Erik began taking advantage of the cut by sticking his jab in Manny’s face.

6th round: With blood beginning to flow heavily from the gash on Manny’s eyebrow, Pacquiao sensed that he needed a knockout. Manny was swinging for the fences whenever he could. When the fight took place in the middle of the ring, it was evident that Pacquiao had the much faster hands. By this time, Morales was feeling fatigued. Erik took most of the round off, however there was a slight shift in momentum. Manny mounted a full throttle offense that most feel stunned Morales badly. Erik was simply playing possum; he was just waiting for Pacquiao to run out of gas. Erik did indeed finish the round strong.

7th round: Wow, what an amazing round. Once again both fighters stood toe to toe as they traded some vicious shots. Manny came out with both guns blazing, he got the better ends of the exchanges here. “Pacman’s hand’s were just to fast. Arguably the best round of the fight.

8th round: Another great round of action. Both fighters traded some devastating shots. Although this time, Manny got the worst of it. However, Pacquiao did finish up the round strong.

9th round: A terrific round for Manny. He did stun Morales with a straight left to the head. This was the punch that he was looking for all night. He finally got it off, although Erik was stunned no such luck in knocking him out.

10th round: Once again, the familiar term of back and forth action is applicable here. Tactically, Erik was on the money. He boxed and utilized his reach effectively. A left uppercut followed by an over hand right hurt Pacquiao pretty bad. In an unusual chain of events, Erik Morales turned to southpaw towards the end of the round.

11th round: Morales had the edge, no doubt about it. He was in the driver’s seat. Erik executed terrific ring generalship. The only thing weird about it was that there wasn’t as much action in this round as in the previous ones. As both fighters exchanged flurries in the middle of the ring, Manny’s punches had no steam. The round ended with Manny landing a right hook to the head.

12th round: In a round that started with very little action, Erik did the unthinkable. He switched to southpaw yet again. Morales was clipped with some massive shots that wobbled him real bad. Both fighters in engaged slugging, resulting in Pacquiao getting the better end of the exchanges. Erik was too stubborn to switch back to the conventional stance. Manny won the 12th round big.

I hope you enjoyed the fight. This was an excellent bout, between two great champions. They gave us their heart and soul. Everything they had, they left it in that ring. This bout will be a likely candidate for fight of the year. I am so proud to have been able to witness such a great fight as well as being a part of such a historic al night in our great sport of boxing. Talk about living up to expectations! Until next time, be well and be safe.

Edwin Gonzalez can be reached at prpapa427@aol.com