AFTER WIN OVER MORALES, PACQUIAO TO REST
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Jan 2006
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA--After re-writing history by becoming the first man to knock out Erik "El Terrible" Morales yesterday, Filipino icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao aims to cool his heels for a much-needed rest following his titanic battle with the Mexican idol.
Pacquiao, working behind a big heart and big punches, scored a technical knockout victory over Morales at the 2:33 mark of the 10th round at the jampacked Thomas and Mack Center here.
"I want to return to my country first, then get a much-needed rest," said Pacquiao when asked of what's next in his calendar, at the post-fight press conference held at the adjacent Coxwell Pavilion following the fight, which drew 14,618 paying spectators excluding mediamen, support crew, and many others.
Morales, who received a terrible beating especially in the last five rounds of the fight, did not join the post-fight presser and was brought to the hospital for precautionary measures.
After a tentative first round, Pacquiao immediately worked Morales' body in the second, followed by a big left straight that sent Morales on the ropes and almost down. The duo then went toe-to-toe.
A right uppercut rocked Pacquiao in the third, and the duo went at each other again to the delight of the partisan crowd.
Morales then worked through rounds fourth and fifth, getting busier and counter-punching well every time Pacquiao charged in.
Pacquiao regained his composure in the sixth, rocking Morales several times, and almost scoring a knockdown once again at the end of the round.
Round seven and eighth saw Pacquiao stepping up the tempo, digging Morales' body, as the visibly tired Mexican kept moving away from Pacquiao.
The Filipino continued his onslaught in the ninth, again rocking Morales several times before the latter, in his first sign of capitulation, run away from Pacquiao in the dying seconds and shook his head as if he was up against a big puzzle.
Pacquiao continued hammering Morales' body in the tenth, before a big left downed Morales for the first time. When he got up, Morales was once again on the receiving end of Pacquiao's fury, as the Mexican slowly sank to his knees, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to stop the carnage.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) provided this writer a copy of the scorecard, which had all three judges scoring the bout for Pacquiao before the 10th round. Paul Smith and Jerry Roth had it 87-84, while Dave Moretti saw it 86-85 before the end came, all in favor of Pacquiao.
"The biggest difference tonight are the body attack and the right hand," said Freddie Roach after the fight.
"In the sixth round, when I had him almost down, that was the time I realized the fight could be won," related Pacquiao, when asked if there was a point in the fight when he saw the win coming.
Gary Shaw, Pacquiao's promoter, credited Bob Arum, who promoted the show, for "treating Pacquiao with respect."
END
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
Thu, 02 Oct 2025IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Thu, 02 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 29 September 2025: Ferreira Retains IBF 135 Belt by Outpointing Moneo; Clavel Dethrones IBF 105 Champ Cudos
By Eric Armit, Tue, 30 Sep 2025