Paquiao’s conquest of Morales means Barrera is next

Some ten months to the day Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao knocked out Erik ‘El Terrible’ Morales, the Filipino boxing hero was once again in Las Vegas pulverizing the Mexican’s noggin’ to put his chief rival away for keeps at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Manny’s vicious KO of Erik has clinched for Marco Antonio Barrera his rematch with his Filipino tormentor assuming his feuding promoters will arrive at a compromise on the cases filed in two Nevada courts.

Thus far, it has been a busy year with enviable wins for the Pinoy icon capped by his second kayo of the once feared Mexican ringster.

So devastating was Pacquiao’s victory that Morales had to sue for time while mulling over his retirement.

Keep in mind that there was an offer by Pacquiao for Morales to call it a day once it was made clear that Erik’s career will not go anywhere while the Pacman stays on in their weight class.

Morales’ workouts leading to the ‘finale’ with Pacquiao was excellent yet he fared badly when confronted by the hard hitting Filipino super-featherweight.

There was absolutely no doubting as to who was the boss as soon as Manny trotted out of the gates with a Secretariat-like start–banging away merrily at the gutsy Mexican until he cried ‘Uncle’ or was it Papa.

Manny’s jabs, hooks and straights did Erik in, leading viewers to wonder how Erik could survive the heavy-handed pasting he took in the early rounds.

Well done!

Now, a new set of wannabes are raring to test the mettle of the newest king of the ring

The line forms to the right gentlemen.

But this will take awhile for the GenSan hitman will have to give her daughter a sweet hug, before going to the courts for a resolution of the latest imbroglio involving his warring promoters — Oscar de la Hoya vs Bob Arum.

And that’s how it is with the most sought-after campaigner in the super-featherweight division.

As of now, the courts have yet to rule on who has the right to promote Pacquaio’s next million-dollar fight.

January 21 2006 saw Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao score a scintillating stoppage of Eric ‘El Terrible’ Morales in a fight he was’nt expected to win.

At the time he knocked out the Mexican three-division champ, Pacman was a just a foe who unexpectedly dealt Tijuana’s fight mogul his first debacle.

Pacquiao was awesome as he tore to shreds Morales’ shaky defense in that memorable Las Vegas outing. .

Ten months earlier at the MGM Grand, Morales beat Paquiao despite Pacman’s torrid surge which fell short in the late rounds

For the third time in their storied calling, the Filipino ring idol and the ‘terrible Mex’ will slug it out at Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center to conclude their mutual hostility– with the winner claiming a commendable notice of acceptance as the new people’s champion.

Unlike in their previous meeting, Morales this time did a more rigorous session with his resurrected posse, boasting of a problem-free training regimen.

No agitating weight distress on their Nov. 18 mega-fight? Nada, insists El Mexicano, since a high-priced fine is dangling over his excess weight which even a dollar-rich Erik would find it stiff to meet.

The mauler from boxing crazy Mexico is on a mission to reclaim lost dignity caused by that irksome loss he suffered the last time he brawled with the Filipino hitman.

With his hot runs halted, (losing three of his last four fights), Morales is cautiously hanging to a thread of vengeance hoping for a win to ease the torment he has been plagued with since his embarrassing KO by the Filipino ring hero.

Manny went on a tear at the Holywood Wild Card gym where his gang of sparmates fed him a dose of hard drives for the tough grind ahead.

Brisk sparring sessions capped by enormous banging of the mitts, bags and crazy balls plus the obligatory sit-ups, push-ups and road works negotiated in his own ‘Otomi’ running grounds completed Pacquiao’s preparations.

Barring last minute hitches, Manny’s awaited win over Erik will net him the prized pudding of their trilogy which could rid him of a rival who once rudely interrupted his comeback.

As we near the riveting phase of the Grand Finale, any slip-ups Pacquiao makes will consign to oblivion the new fortune pledged by his new promoter Oscar de la Hoya.

And as we move closer to this intriguing finale, Morales’ band of loyalists are keeping a close tab on Oscar’s move to have his renowned skills incorporated in Manny’s dexterous arsenal.

That’s the crease that’s distressing the gutsy Mexican as he traverse the biggest challenge of his checkered course..

Keep in mind that Manny even without Oscar read Erik well in their last encounter.

Thus a new twist of concern for Erik as he lusts for revenge in a rubber bout that’s drawing exciting interests?

A cause for alarm for Senor Morales? Or a distressful annoyance that will go away once the antsy combatants pour it on in their ‘final combattere.?

The Pacman for sure will start fast with wicked left or right hooks mixing it well with his straights and potent body shots. El Terrible will meet him head-on with his savage counter-blows forcing Manny to cut loose with his sharper punches.This– to slow down a very vengeful Erik.

Morales can make this fascinating scenario happen if he’s been able to acquire in his truncated training his choice weapon of destruction.

It will take awhile to see this kind of a brutal yet lovely thriller again.

See ya at the fight.