Morales-Pacquiao: Reflections on a Super-fight Mailbag.

In my opinion, there are two types of individual that maintain this industry in their respective way: the fighters, without whom the sport cannot exist, and the fans, without whom, the sport’s lifeline would be even more threadbare than it already is. That said, at SaddoBoxing.com, we aim to give these two factions

the chance to voice themselves. You need only peruse our interview section to see that the fighters have embraced this opportunity, and now, I’m happy to say that the fans have chosen to make their opinions known also. Despite maintaining neutrality, it is difficult to discuss a fighter’s shortcomings without offending his fan base. Of course, my only intention was to discuss the fight and the futures of both fighters from my perspective, and I am so glad that some of our readers decided to share their opinions. What follows is some of the feedback I received in response to my Morales-Pacquiao: Reflections on a Super-fight article, and I think you will find that passions are high in regard to what was, regardless of anyone’s opinion, a special boxing occasion. Please continue and discover what the fans have to say, and in responding, I remember to keep my hands up at all times.

Please note that all messages have remained unchanged since they were received.

Dear Mr. Jim,

I would like to add my comments from your write-up “Morales-Pacquiao:
Reflections on a super fight”. I’m one for the millions of disappointed fans of Manny, perhaps I’m trying to inject positive insights or would still believe that Manny could bounce back from a very bad loss. I would like to share my opinions and news that are circling around, there are wild rumors from Manila that Manny was paid $4M to drop the fight. This is was exactly what guys from Manila find in disgust that it was not the real Manny who fought that March 19 fight. This sentiment was shared by some who watched the fight in Las Vegas live. From todays sport column from a respected sports journalist in Manila got a disturbing call from the States regarding IRS going after Manny plus the caller mentioned the gloves issue that its like 70% Psychological 30% Real. I did not have the privilege of watching the full fight but from what I saw from the news clips Manny was beaten hard by Morales. In my humble opinion, whatever game plan that Roach had given Manny was not effective at all, I simply believe that Roach had used his maximum coaching techniques to Manny to no avail. Second thing is its quite possible that Manny was over trained for the match as many observed back home. Thanks for your time and I’m glad to share my thoughts of the fight. Thanks & Best Regards, Albert.

JC: Thank you Albert. Firstly, I am unaware of any inappropriate financial maneuverings in regard to Pacquiao in this fight. Though I cannot confirm or deny this rumor, I will say that Pacquiao, even in losing, appeared to fight his heart out. Another fighter, upon sustaining a cut of the seriousness that Pacquiao did may have walked away; the doctor took ample time with him, but Pacquiao wanted to fight and that is not the action of someone unprepared to give his all to win. In addition, such rumors are distasteful and not only attempt to discredit Pacquiao but also the performance of Morales. Erik Morales fought Pacquiao at a crossroads in his career, and he fought bravely and deserved to win. Pacquiao’s approach was crude and one-dimensional, criticisms leveled at him several times in the past. Freddie Roach is a fantastic trainer, but it is Pacquiao that has to step into the ring and make it happen. Morales imposed himself more consistently in the fight and quite simply, there was nothing Pacquiao could do about it.

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Hello,

Great comment! But do you really think that Pacquiao was cleanly beaten by Morales? I was there and I really believe that his winning was hampered by an intentional head butt from my Paesano (Morales). If there was a little more time during the 12th, Pacman could have knocked-out Morales, I’ve seen how he folded his knees and gotten groggy… but there’s no more time for Pacman to follow up. I know this from a boxer’s point of view. I was once an amateur boxer in Tijuana. What do you say??

Regards,
John

JC: Hi John and thank you for your response. I do believe that Pacquiao lost the fight decisively and was surprised to see only a two-point margin on all of the scorecards. Morales was rightfully exhausted at the end of a magnificent effort in the twelfth round, likewise was Pacquiao, and really, Pacquiao had ample opportunity to assert himself long before the final round. These fighters would fight until one is incapacitated, as such, we have rules and a time limit to separate them by a decision before a serious injury is incurred. Both fighters know the time limit they have and it is up to them to distance themselves from each other over that duration; Morales succeeded in doing so this time. Also, I cannot believe that Morales aimed to head-butt Pacquiao intentionally. Such clashes of heads happen routinely when orthodox fighters meet their southpaw rivals and it was something we should have foreseen considering the intensity of both of these two fighters. In truth, Morales did not need to foul, he was succeeding through the implementation of a sound strategy.

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I am a Pacfan and true we lost and are disappointed by his performance last time against the smart tactics of Erik. Erik was not the brawler but a boxer that night. With all honesty I don’t know if you would admit that half of the fight is done outside the ring, before the fight proper: scouting the opponent, tactics and physical preparation, and most of all legal aspects (match-ups that suits the boxer, choices of judges and referees, choices of venues and gloves). If you disagree with me, I would say you are not an honest writer but one of those being paid for your bread-and butter. We all know that boxing is the red-light district of sport, come on. Mafias abound. If you deny my assertion then why not get rid of all those elements I have just enumerated and just let the boxers do it in the ring. Erik’s camps inserted the gloves thing in the contract as part of their grand preparation. They smoothly worked as a team while Murad was not totally transparent with the rest. Why did you not dwell on the controversy surrounding the Team Manny before the fight? Were you that ignorant about the vehement protestations of Roach about the gloves? Or you are just plain dishonest? Manny lost in the ring, but prior to that he lost in the tactical and legal struggles. You were not kind enough to him to admit that those things count. BTW, just wondering that in case a “miracle” happens and Manny comes back strongly, will you be brave enough to eat your words? Peace and enjoy what you are, coz you are what you are.

Sammy Nam.

JC: Hi Sammy and thank you for your comment. I concur with the fact that boxing has its problems, but the coalescence of Pacquiao’s loss with the machinations of the Mafia? I think not. Murad Muhammad and Freddie Roach knew of the glove situation and more poignantly, so did Pacquiao, yet he did nothing. The day before Morales-Pacquiao took place, British promoter Frank Warren pulled WBO super middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe from his fight with Brian Magee on the basis of a technical ruling concerning a future fight and a German television network. If Calzaghe can refuseto fight under such abstract reasoning, why did Pacquiao not even make a noise over the gloves as an issue that may directly affect his performance? If it was such a concern, why not threaten to pull out of the fight? Simply because nobody in Pacquiao’s camp expected Morales to survive regardless of the gloves being used. Team Morales’ assertion of the usage of gloves unfavorable to Pacquiao was nothing illegal, Muhammad should have remedied the situation in protest but did not, and Pacquiao willingly walked to the ring wearing them, case closed. I fully expect Pacquiao to return in a dominant fashion, and when he does, I hope he no longer has to suffer the learning of these rudimentary lessons in more career defining fights.

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MORALES LOOKS GOOD THAT FIGHT BECAUSE HIS OPPONENT WAS FIGHTING WITH ONE EYE, OKAY LETS PUT IT THIS WAY IF MORALES WAS THE ONE WHO WAS FIGHTING WIHT ONE EYE CAN HE SURVIVE UP TO 12 ROUNDS?

Lernydodong

JC: I expect that you would have to shoot Morales to stop him from continuing in a fight. Nobody is questioning Pacquiao’s courage, but fortunes fall as they will and if Pacquiao gave all he could while suffering through the eye injury, he is to be commended all the more. However, the fact that he did not win is not to Morales’ detriment. If they do fight again, I hope that honors are even throughout and perhaps Pacquiao may win; as evenly matched as they are, that is not out of the realm of possibility.

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Don’t forget Pacquiao came out stronger in the 12th round. It’s not always the case that one can sustain their pre-fight plans. For Pacquiao, he needed more time to adjust, to learn, to adapt and to execute. In the twelve he finally got the hung of it. But it was just too late. If there is a rematch, I expect Pacquiao will pick up where they left off. If the gloves don’t matter, do you think Morales can change his gloves to other than his preference? Its elementary. I believe that everything matters in this fight. Different gloves can give you a different feel, a different feedback. The Morales camp knows that, and that’s exactly was their purpose, to upset the other party, otherwise they won’t insist to put it into writing. Even the Marines at war, they will prefer if the enemy will self destruct before they will face them. So, there explains the issues attached to this fight.

I hope everything is fair and square in the rematch and there will be no more complaints.

Ricolaya411.

JC: Pacquiao knew what he had to do in the fight, the fact that he could not do it is his problem. It seems that interpersonal conflicts surrounding Pacquiao are a constant nuisance, and I would like to see that unwanted element finally eradicated from his preparations. Morales’ insistence on extra-padded gloves was a tactical move that went unchecked by Pacquiao’s camp, so who appears foolish there is hardly debatable. I think what is conveniently forgotten in this glove issue is the fact that Morales is not exactly a powder-puff puncher himself. So much emphasis was placed on Pacquiao’s power, and would undoubtedly be so in a rematch, however, consider the impact of Morales’ fists in Reyes gloves and wonder if Pacquiao would be so happy to be on the receiving end of them. What became increasingly obvious during the fight was that only some chance moment of vulnerability from Morales would present Pacquiao with a stoppage opportunity, and with this knowledge, I would say that Morales could happily indulge Pacquiao’s whim concerning the puncher’s gloves, confident that he has the craft to take Pacquiao’s chief weapon out of the equation.

Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk