Hello again my fellow forum goers!

Once more I'm throwing the DRBR up a bit early because I think that this one's in need of some serious discussion.

Once again we come to a crossroads in boxing...& oh what an intersection this will be.

The question to be answered...what happens when to warriors collide again for the third time & who get's wrecked?!?!?

Yeah...I know...that was one "wack-assed" analogy...but I'm known for such...that & being the village drunk. Heh heh heh.

Coming up on Saturday November the 18th, 2006 it's time to break out the shovels & start digging.

First & foremost, we get to dig into our pockets & wallets again to see whether or not Erik Morales (52 fights, 48 wins with 34 ko's, & 4 losses) can dig down deep enough to find "El Terrible" once again as he faces his most daunting challenge to date...another rubber match.

Morales steps up for the third & most likely final shot at Manny Pacquiao (47 fights, 42 wins with 33 ko's, 3 losses, & 2 draws) the current WBC International Super Featherweight Champ...not only is Pacquiao the champion, he's also one of the most devastating punchers in the division.

Anywho, as last fights go...this is going to be one to remember. It's all or nothing for both men...but more so for the veteran.

I'm just gonna cut right to the chase because I got a lot on my mind for this one...I present to you the Wackster's Factors of the Fight.

Read 'em...mull 'em over...break 'em apart...agree with 'em or disagree with 'em...but let's discuss this one to the bitter end.

Factors for & against Morales:

#1: The Mental Aspect. Quite simply...I think that this is truely against my guy. Everyone knows I'm a dyed in the wool Morales fan...but I'm also a realist. Last January Morales felt something that he has never before felt in a career of 52 fights...a devastating defeat...not to mention one that came along with a knockout. Never before has Morales been so handily defeated. Sure Erik's lost before...but never knocked out...much less truly dropped. Honestly...I think that this is wrong fight for Morales to be taking at this stage in his career. Too many wars eventually take their toll on a man...Morales is no different. For years Erik was known for his durability...his invincibility. Everyone is mortal, that's a fact of life. Pacquiao stamped, sealed, & delivered that little wake up call via a 10th round TKO that was preceded by a thorough beating. Mentally...I just don't believe that Morales is ready for another loss...no matter how hard he's been training. Physically...he might be tight as a drum...but unfortunately...I just don't believe that he's been preparing himself upstairs enough. A knockout is tuff to overcome...especially for some one as egotistical as Erik is.

#2: The Physical Aspect. I've always thought that Morales was an incredible physical force...but again...I lean towards the fact that he's been in too many wars. Another thing...for all his skill & power, he hasn't knocked out an opponent in almost four years. That's a bit troublesome to me too. Granted...he's fought some tough cookies...but I just think that Erik is fading in several departments. That being said:

#3: Heart. Say what you will about Morales but like him or not...he's a warrior & he's got more heart than anyone in the division...hell...maybe even the sport. The question is...how long or how far can your heart carry you in boxing? It's done him well for fourteen years as a pro...so who's to say that there's not enough left to spark Pacquiao out. Going on heart...Erik has the advantage.

#4: Abilities. No doubt Morales is the more skilled boxer of the two...the question here is...will he be Saturday night? I know that that might sound ignorant...but I wrestle with the fact that I think this could be Morales fight to win or lose. Make sense? No? Allow me. Morales has a vast array of punches in his arsenal. He's fast & he throws wicked combinations. He outboxed Pacquiao in their first fight pretty easily...but...BUT...Morales get's caught up in "El Terrible" mode & it often goes south for him. If Morales uses his head & boxes instead of fights...he'll win this fight, but if he get's caught up in the bullshit like he did in the 12th round of their first fight...he's fwocked. HE CAN NOT WITHSTAND PAC'S POWER. Many Morales fans said that the knockout came more from stamina...well...I'm a Morales fan...& that knockout came from a vicious salvo of well placed power punches.

#5: Age, stamina, wear, & tear. Morales turned pro when he was 16 years old & he's 29 or 30 now. It's been a brilliant career for Morales & he's done a lot for boxing...but over the last 8 years Morales has been in more than a handful of what boxing fans & the media call "classic fights" and "epic battles". I couldn't agree more...but in all reality...it's added to his age. He may be 29...but he aint a young 29 anymore. Erik's been thrown in with the best of them, but he's often come out battered. No one will ever forget his life long rivalry with future "Hall of Famer" Marco Antonio Barrera...nor will they forget his clashes with Pacquiao...for better or worse...but when is enough enough. Morales's stamina has started to show weak spots...especially against the two above mentioned names & also against Raheem. For safety's sake & for Morales's sake...it might be time to settle down, get fat, & start spending some of that hard earned money.

Factors for & against Pacquiao:

#1: The Mental Aspect. This is a tuffy for me. At first glance...you gotta give the mental edge to Pac. He did just do what no man has done before...he stopped & dropped the great Erik Morales. Six months later he battered & dropped the durable Oscar Larios over 12 rounds. In 2003 he stopped Marco Antonio Barrera in an incredible toe to toe battle that resulted in a 10th round TKO for the Baby Faced Assasin & a sky rocket in Pac's career. In his very next bout he would face the highly respected rugged Featherweight Champ Juan Manuel Marquez in what what many considered the fight of the year. Marquez was dropped 3 times in the first round but amazing fought his way to a draw with Pacquiao. All along the wayside of his career, Manny has shocked & stopped some of the best. The hype that has built around Pac is seemingly unsurmountable...this is where it get's tuff for me to fully give Pac the edge. Since dismantling Morales, Pacquiao has gained sponsors, starred in commercials, a bad movie, & picked up a hellacious amount of distractions along with way. The question is...are these distractions distracting or is Pac immune to it all? It seems that he's able to manage & juggle all the fame & fortune that he's amassed of late...but if Morales is as determined as he's preaching...the most minute distraction or lack of focus...well...Pac might end up fried, dyed, & laid to the side like that Philly chicken he's repping! Heh heh heh. Still...I give Pac the edge...but you never know. In boxing...anything can & will happen.

#2: The Physical Aspect. Edge here...hands down. Pac is ALWAYS in shape & he's got one hell of a cracking punch. There's really nothing left to say here...unless ofcourse he hasn't been training full on...which I highly doubt. But...if there is that shadow of a doubt...he better not be soft in the body because Moraels is known to drop a man with a body shot. Shot in the dark...but you never know.

#3: Heart. I think that quite often it's written on Pac's face when things aren't going his way. It was painfully obvious in the first loss to Morales & when his power had failed him against Marquez it was even more noticeable. Not sure if this would be heart related...but he does show a bit of weakness when he can't close the show. Morales would do well to capitalize on this little factor.

#4: Abilities. As I said above...Morales is the more skilled boxer of the two...but Pac has been working on his "one trick poney syndrome". Of late, Freddie Roach has clued Manny in to the fact that he has two hands instead of one & Pac's developing quite an arsenal. That being said...I believe that the "Manilla Ice" will be thawed against a fully prepped Morales. Edge to "El Terrible" on the abilities factor.

#5: Age, stamina, wear, & tear. At age 27, Pacquiao comes across with the energy & stamina of a teenager. Manny seems to have one speed & one speed only: FULL THROTTLE! Having seen very little wear & tear coupled with a pretty strong chin...this one goes to Manny. Pacquiao has gone the distance Morales, Marquez, Barrera (10 rounds), & Larios...all of whom can crack...all of whom can box. I don't see that changing now...unless ofcourse he's gotten buried under his after hours life style & alla that fried chicken. Heh heh heh. All joking aside...Pacquiao's a dynamo & I gotta lean towards him on this factor also.

In the end...Morales has the edge in abilities & heart. Will that carry him for 12 rounds against the one man that stopped him out of 52 fights? As a boxer, Morales has nothing left to prove to his fans, he's loved & respected...but I'd imagine that he's in a position that, as a man, he needs some answers for himself & quite possibley...this is a make or break fight for his career.

At the risk of sounding repetitive...again...being a Morales fan...I want Morales to win...but I believe that he's seen his best days. I'd love for him to rise to the occassion & TKO Pacquiao...not because I'm a hater...but...well...let's face it...it's time for some redemption. Morales needs a big win to put an exclamtion mark on a glorious career.

I'll go ahead & make my pick...with my head, not my heart.

Split decision by Manny Pacquiao over a hard fought 12 rounds.

As always...Wacko's Drunken Round by Round will be here for those that are either to tight...to unfortunate...or just smart enough to wait for the freebie two weeks down the road. I'll keep it fair & as on point as anyone in my drunken state can.

So...break out the chips & the salsa...kick back & get comfy...fight night will soon arrive & we can all toss back a few cold ones...or twenty.

Cheers...& koneecheewah bitches.