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Monday, March 21, 2005
Gallant Pacquiao loses to Morales
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
MANNY Pacquiao showed he has a big fighting heart. Erik Morales proved he's got a granite chin. In a blockbuster fight that lived up to its billing, Pacquiao went after Morales like a raging bull and engaged the Mexican in a fight to the finish, only to drop a heartbreaking unanimous decision in their super featherweight clash Sunday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A nasty cut over his right eye in the fifth round caused by a headbutt somewhat derailed Pacquiao's attack against his much taller and bigger foe.
But it was obvious Morales came prepared for the bout as he shrugged off pre-fight predictions listing him as the underdog.
Morales, 28, boxed well against Pacquiao, rocking the Filipino with right hands starting in the second round. He dictated the pace up to the fifth, although the cut on Pacquiao was caused by a heatbutt and not by a punch.
Pacquiao, with blood flowing down his face, came back strong in the sixth round. From there both fighters exchanged big shots. Morales resorted to a southpaw stance in the final round and got rocked by Pacquiao.
All the judges scored it 115-113. The defeat came as a big disappointment to Pacquiao, the rest of his team and the 80 million Filipinos who were hoping for a victory by the Filipino boxer.
"I tried my best," was all Pacquaio could say after the exciting bout.
Morales had far more experience in championship fights, winning 20 of 18, and held titles in three different categories.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, was moving up at 130 pounds in a career that started at 106 pounds. (With a report from AP)
(March 21, 2005 issue)
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