PACQUIAOS BIGGEST DISTRACTION: ERIK MORALES!
Millbrae, CA-With a little over two months before his fight with Erik Morales, the most important fight of Manny Pacquiaos life, news coming out of the Philippines is that new, but too familiar distractions, have once again entered the Filipino superstars life. Philippine sports columnist Joaquin Henson has noted multiple events, ranging from late nights at billiard halls and unaccounted finances, to a non-boxing work schedule that rivals most touring rock bands.
MANNY HAD DISTRACTIONS AT CRUCIAL TIMES, Pacquiao, who will begin training in the Philippines as early as this Thursday, has had a history of distractions since winning the featherweight championship, against Marco Antonio Barrera, two years ago this month. Turmoil between trainer Freddie Roach and ex-promoter Murad Muhammad over the handling of Pacquiaos finances in the days leading up to Pacquiao and Morales first battle in March, led to a bitter lawsuit, later settled, between Pacquiao and Muhammad. A new management team led by Shelly Finkel and promoter Gary Shaw guaranteed that a major distraction (Murad) was now out of the picture, and all Manny had to focus on was training.
DISTRACTIONS COME FROM BELOW
However, these new rumors popping up from the Philippines seem to originate, not from the core management team, but from a notch below, associates handling the non-boxing affairs of Pacquiao. Although none of the rumors have been confirmed, or even considered a distraction to Pacquiao, it leaves a sour taste in Pacquiao fans mouths. This leaves a dark cloud over Mannys upcoming training camp, especially should more information about the distractions arrive. However, on this coming January 21st, it will be Manny Pacquiao, by himself, one on one, in the with his biggest distraction, Erik Morales.
MORALES A KILLER AFTER LOSING!
A careful look into the history of Erik Morales proves that El Terrible is at his best coming out of a loss. After Morales first two losses (both against Marco Antonio Barrera), Erik came back and defeated Paulie Ayala and Pacquiao in his next fights. He dominated and almost stopped Ayala, a top fighter in the lower weight classes. Against Pacquiao, Morales arguably fought the best fight of his life, winning a unanimous decision in 12 exciting rounds. An obvious comedown fight against a skillful Zahir Raheem seems to be a winnable fight for the man who halted the Pacland Express. However, the mind and soul that defeated Pacquiao, was not in the ring that night, as Erik was thoroughly outworked by the master boxer, Zahir Raheem. This uninspired Morales can be easily beaten, but that will not be the case for the rematch, which will take place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
MUST WIN FIGHT SURELY FOR BOTH MEN!
Had Erik Morales topped Zahir Raheem last September, the build up of the fight would center on how great the first fight was. However the rematch, a treat for boxing fans, is an emotional and high stakes matter for both men. Not only is this a revenge bout for Pacquiao, who wants and needs to reestablish a level of dominance, but also should Morales lose, it would bring an end to the reign of El Terrible.
IS PACQUIAO A ONE TRICK PONY?
If Pacquiao losses, hell be considered a one hit wonder, with a lone claim to fame in defeating Marco Antonio Barrera. Even though both fighters are still young and will have more big fights in the future, it is clear that neither fighter can take another loss and remain upper echelon. The bout will be televised on HBO PPV, sponsored by the Wynn Hotel, and will be promoted by Top Rank. The Wynn Sportsbook has Pacquiao an early 7-5 betting favorite against Morales, the same odds as the first fight.
NOTEBOOK
MANNY TO STAY IN HOLLYWOOD? Dont be surprised if Pacquiao elects to stay in Los Angeles and train at the Wild Card Gym, rather than moving camp to Phoenix, Arizona. Trainer Freddie Roach is currently honing Israel Vasquez for a unification bout with Oscar Larios, December 3…ANYONE MISS ROD NAZARIO From my personal experience around Mannys former manager, Rod Nazario, its clear that he wouldve handled the distractions. But with Nazario filing, and then dropping a civil case against writers Winchell Campos, Pedro Fernandez, and Pacland webmaster Dong Secuya, which resulted in Secuya spending a night in jail, Im guessing not. Pedro will be responding to this in a timely manner, Im told…WWE LATINO HEAT PASSES… Wrestling superstar Eddie Guerrero passed away earlier this week in Minnesota. Its still unknown how he died, although his wife said the preliminary autopsy results indicate heart disease! One report had Eddie being found with a toothbrush in his mouth. A tribute to a great career will be televised this Friday on the Smackdown show…SANCHEZ DIES: Ex-champion, Agapito Sanchez, who had a foul-fest with Pacquiao a few years ago, is dead, the result of a gunshot. He was a rare fighter, supposed to be a journeyman, but worked hard to be WBO champion.
Jason Aniel
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