Break out the matches & dynamite people it's time for some fireworks Manilla style!!!

First & foremost let's despence with the pleasantries...the 4th of July is coming up in just short of a week & for all those that get into the festivities...I'd like to advise you all to be careful when lighting the fuses to your poppers. Stay away from gasoline & please...by all means...do not ingage in the art of fireworks whilst intoxicated...

That being said...it's time for another installment of Wacko's Drunken Round by Round.

As we delve into the spirits this Saturday night July the 1st, 2006 wer'e packin our bags & headin all the way over to the Philippines to watch in awe as former WBC Super Bantamweight champion Oscar "Chololo" Larios (56 wins with 36 ko's, 4 losses, & 1 draw) climbs through the ropes & turns the clock back to 1975 where the Thrilla in Manilla first transpired to see if he can make his own little notch in the belt of history. We all know that it's impossible to pull off such a feat as time traveling...but Larios might have a better chance in doing just that very thing...especially compared to defeating what will be waiting across the ring from him.

In the other corner stands one of the sport's best pound for pound fighters & a former three division champion in Manny "the Destroyer" Pacquiao. Known by his legion of fans as "the Pac-Man", Manny Pacquiao (41 wins with 33 ko's, 3 losses, & 2 draws) has devoured pretty much everyone that is put before him. On July the 1st...or 2nd...or however time translates to America from the Phillipines...we will see if he can do just that very thing at the Araneta Coliseum.

History in the makings again for Pacquiao as his star will most surely grow even brighter with a win over Larios at the very same spot of the 1975 "Thrilla in Manila" where a war & all hell broke loose between heavyweight icons Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier. Being a huge fan of Ali, Manny will most likely want to make an even bigger statement than the one left behind by the two giants before him.

The junior lightweight fight is scheduled for twelve rounds...but not many are banking on the fight lasting the duration. Big mistake IWO. Manny looked incredible against Barrera, limited against Juan Manuel Marquez, devastating against Fahsan 3K Battery, gutty but out matched against Morales, amazing against Velazquez, & then against devastating & dominating over Morales in the rematch. Pacquaio always rises to the occassion & this time should be no different. Rumors of distractions in camp have been the headlines for the past month...but with history in the making...I highly doubt that Manny has slacked off...but if he has...even if only a fraction...he's in the ring with the wrong man & he will pay.

As always...I like to do this little write up before the actual action get's cranking & I figured I'd better do this one extra early as Wacko is on his way to the dentist for a nice tooth pulling & a root canal...

Wacko aint fond of the fwockin dentist...& this be the very reason why...all I got to say is there better be gas & there better be some pain pills in this trip for the Wack one because I am a bit of a panooch when it comes to sawing, cutting, & pulling on my body.

Anywho...back to some of the deciding factors of this fight...

Factors for & against Manny Pacquiao...

Factor #1: Power. Manny's got loads of it & in both hands. Coupled with his aggression, speed, & stamina...this kid is almost unbeatable when he is 100% mind, body, & soul. He never seems to tire no matter what he is hit with...and that leads me to this...

Factor #2: Endurance. Manny has proven that he can take a lickin & keep on kickin. Anyone that can stand toe to toe with Barrera & Morales, take the best that they can give, & then knock them both out...TKO or not...is one hell of a man. Pacquiao has been hit by two of the hardest hitters of the Feathers & Super Feathers, on top of that...he's gone fought neck & neck with one of the more skilled counter punchers in Juan Manuel Marquez. One almost has to think that Manny is a shoe in for the winner of this fight...which leads me to...

Factor #3: Over confidence. This is the one that could work against Manny just as easily as Factor 4. Manny is fighting in front of the home crowd once agian...that & riding high on a tidal wave of impressive wins is going to be a factor. Being the only man to ever knock Morales out has to be uplifting...but also destroying Barrera must have brought the kid close to become a deity. It's good to have a little faith in one's abilities but I have a sneaking suspision that he might be overlooking Larios as a tune up for the rubber rematch with Morales. Big mistake.

Factor #4: Distractions. Apparently in Pacquiao's first match against Erik Morales there were a lot of problems within his camp & thus many distractions that contributed to Pacquiao losing the fight. Whether that be true or just a bunch of excuses...you have to take it into effect. The rumors are abound of Manny be unfocused & distracted during training once again. As I stated before...Larios is not the man to come into a fight distracted. Larios is very capable of pulling of an upset.

Factor #5: Limitations. Pacquaio is going in against a fighter that has more than just one approach. Larios been a sparring partner for some of the best in the world & he's also been a world champion. Morales & Larios have been in the ring several times & Larios has often been noted as giving "El Terrible" all that he could handle. Again...I think that Manny might just be underestimating his man this go around & on top of often following the same approach & concentrating on his power alone...could be a very very long night for Pacquiao.

Factors for & against Oscar Larios...

Factor #1: Manny Pacquiao period. Nothing more needs to be said other than he's fighting one of the most aggressive men in the game & Manny's a difficult southpaw to pin down.

Factor #2: Power. Manny's not the only one coming into this fight with heavy hands. Larios has a laundry list of knockouts to his credit & he's got a hell of a chin too. Two of Larios's losses have been a bit questionable as one was an early stoppage & the other was on cuts...the other loss...he just flat got dropped by Vasquez in one round...that being said...

Factor #3: Chin. Larios like Manny can take a punch. Only legitamately being stopped once in 61 fights is an impressive thing. If this fight goes the distance...which I think it just might...both of these fools are gonna be bloody & hurting.

Factor #4: Brawler. Larios likes to brawl...probably as much as Pacquiao & this will be a fatal mistake me thinks. If the Mexican comes out in Larios...I believe that Pacquiao will prove that Larios is a Mexi-can't.

Factor 5#: Stamina. Larios can go all night...but can he go all night agianst Pacquiao? Pacquiao is know for setting a blistering pace...like a greyhound running a rabbit...Larios can stand his ground & is known for delivering...but again...he's never faced anything like Pacquiao. So...as always...


We shall see...we shall see.

So...as always...break out the chips & salsa...your poison of choice & pick your spot on the couch...Saturday July the 1st/2nd, 2006 is fight night & it's gonna blow up like a stick of dynooooooooooooh-mite!
Heh heh heh.

Cheers...& koneecheewah bitches.