DU_stud04
11-19-2006, 12:51 AM
Pacquiao finishes Morales with electric third-round KO
By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
November 19, 2006
Erik Morales, bottom, of Mexico, is counted out by Vic Drakucich during third round of his super featherweight boxing match against Pacquiao, of the Philippines, Saturday night, Nov. 18, 2006, in Las Vegas.
AP - Nov 19, 12:23 am EST
More Photos
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao finished this trilogy with the flair befitting a movie star, knocking down Erik Morales three times on the way to a third-round knockout victory Saturday night in the super featherweights' third meeting in 20 months.
Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KOs), the Filipino phenomenon known for his excesses of punching power and courage, dominated Morales (48-5) in a fight that was every bit as thrilling as their first two meetings -- even if it didn't last nearly as long.
Both fighters came out with heedless aggression, and Pacquiao first knocked Morales down against the ropes late in the second round. Morales kept returning shots, but couldn't keep up with Pacquiao's pace -- and after a knockdown midway through the third, Pacquiao finished him with a devastating left hook with just 3 seconds left.
Morales sat up, but shook his head at his corner -- and Pacquiao celebrated another dynamic victory over the only man to beat him since 1999.
Thousands of Filipino fans at the sold-out Thomas and Mack Center chanted Pacquiao's name, worshipping their native megastar of film, music and endorsements -- and don't forget boxing, where he belongs among the world's top handful of pound-for-pound fighters.
The 130-pounders split their first two meetings in the previous two years, with Morales winning a unanimous decision and Pacquiao replying with a TKO victory over "El Terrible" last March.
Their rivalry became one of boxing's better trilogies in recent years, with both punch-addicted brawlers dazzling casual fans and building rabid followings in their native lands.
Morales' career could be in trouble after four losses in five fights, including consecutive setbacks against Pacquiao. He also lost two of three fights in his previous trilogy against Marco Antonio Barrera.
While Pacquiao is a ferocious, straight-ahead puncher who's usually loathe to change his bombardment tactics for any opponent, Morales altered his training strategy and re-hired his trainer-father, Jose, for the third fight after firing him following a recent loss.
Though both fighters have only middling profiles in the U.S., each of their three pairings has been an international incident.
Television sets from Manila to Mexico City were tuned in to the pay-per-view telecast of a fight pitting perhaps the Philippines' most famous person against one of the toughest fighters in Mexico's long line of famed brawlers.
Thousands of Filipino fans traveled halfway across the world to Las Vegas for the fight, while thousands more came up from Mexico and Southern California to support Morales. The crowd of 18,276 was the second-biggest in the arena's history -- and a measure of the fighters' love in this fight-crazy town, where several closed-circuit broadcasts were opened as well.
Morales won their first bout with a unanimous decision in March 2005, sending a stunned and bloodied Pacquiao to defeat. While acknowledging he underestimated Morales, Pacquiao blamed the defeat on numerous distractions that he erased in the ensuing 10 months, leading to one of the signature fights of his career in the rematch.
Pacquiao battered Morales repeatedly last January, bruising his face and body before dropping him twice in the 10th round for the first TKO loss of Morales' career. Both fights were among their year's best, with the sluggers freely trading rallies to the delight of fans who became even more enamored with their favorites.
Pacquiao, who gained 15 pounds after making weight Friday at 129, was guaranteed $3 million for the match. Morales will get at least $2.75 million.
Earlier in the evening, Ricardo Torres won the WBO super lightweight title with a sketchy split decision over Philadelphia's Mike Arnaoutis. Mexico's Omar Nino also retained his WBC 108-pound title with a majority draw over former champion Brian Viloria of the Philippines, even though Viloria knocked down Nino twice.
Vanes Martirosyan, a 2004 U.S. Olympian, improved to 11-0 as a rising super welterweight with a fourth-round TKO of Edgar Reyes.
By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports Writer
November 19, 2006
Erik Morales, bottom, of Mexico, is counted out by Vic Drakucich during third round of his super featherweight boxing match against Pacquiao, of the Philippines, Saturday night, Nov. 18, 2006, in Las Vegas.
AP - Nov 19, 12:23 am EST
More Photos
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Manny Pacquiao finished this trilogy with the flair befitting a movie star, knocking down Erik Morales three times on the way to a third-round knockout victory Saturday night in the super featherweights' third meeting in 20 months.
Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KOs), the Filipino phenomenon known for his excesses of punching power and courage, dominated Morales (48-5) in a fight that was every bit as thrilling as their first two meetings -- even if it didn't last nearly as long.
Both fighters came out with heedless aggression, and Pacquiao first knocked Morales down against the ropes late in the second round. Morales kept returning shots, but couldn't keep up with Pacquiao's pace -- and after a knockdown midway through the third, Pacquiao finished him with a devastating left hook with just 3 seconds left.
Morales sat up, but shook his head at his corner -- and Pacquiao celebrated another dynamic victory over the only man to beat him since 1999.
Thousands of Filipino fans at the sold-out Thomas and Mack Center chanted Pacquiao's name, worshipping their native megastar of film, music and endorsements -- and don't forget boxing, where he belongs among the world's top handful of pound-for-pound fighters.
The 130-pounders split their first two meetings in the previous two years, with Morales winning a unanimous decision and Pacquiao replying with a TKO victory over "El Terrible" last March.
Their rivalry became one of boxing's better trilogies in recent years, with both punch-addicted brawlers dazzling casual fans and building rabid followings in their native lands.
Morales' career could be in trouble after four losses in five fights, including consecutive setbacks against Pacquiao. He also lost two of three fights in his previous trilogy against Marco Antonio Barrera.
While Pacquiao is a ferocious, straight-ahead puncher who's usually loathe to change his bombardment tactics for any opponent, Morales altered his training strategy and re-hired his trainer-father, Jose, for the third fight after firing him following a recent loss.
Though both fighters have only middling profiles in the U.S., each of their three pairings has been an international incident.
Television sets from Manila to Mexico City were tuned in to the pay-per-view telecast of a fight pitting perhaps the Philippines' most famous person against one of the toughest fighters in Mexico's long line of famed brawlers.
Thousands of Filipino fans traveled halfway across the world to Las Vegas for the fight, while thousands more came up from Mexico and Southern California to support Morales. The crowd of 18,276 was the second-biggest in the arena's history -- and a measure of the fighters' love in this fight-crazy town, where several closed-circuit broadcasts were opened as well.
Morales won their first bout with a unanimous decision in March 2005, sending a stunned and bloodied Pacquiao to defeat. While acknowledging he underestimated Morales, Pacquiao blamed the defeat on numerous distractions that he erased in the ensuing 10 months, leading to one of the signature fights of his career in the rematch.
Pacquiao battered Morales repeatedly last January, bruising his face and body before dropping him twice in the 10th round for the first TKO loss of Morales' career. Both fights were among their year's best, with the sluggers freely trading rallies to the delight of fans who became even more enamored with their favorites.
Pacquiao, who gained 15 pounds after making weight Friday at 129, was guaranteed $3 million for the match. Morales will get at least $2.75 million.
Earlier in the evening, Ricardo Torres won the WBO super lightweight title with a sketchy split decision over Philadelphia's Mike Arnaoutis. Mexico's Omar Nino also retained his WBC 108-pound title with a majority draw over former champion Brian Viloria of the Philippines, even though Viloria knocked down Nino twice.
Vanes Martirosyan, a 2004 U.S. Olympian, improved to 11-0 as a rising super welterweight with a fourth-round TKO of Edgar Reyes.