PINILI SI PACQUIAO

Ilang eksperto na ang nagsabing ang muling pagharap ni Manny Pacquiao kay Erik Morales ay kahalintulad ng bakbakan ni "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler at Tommy "The Hit Man" Hearns, dalawang dekada na ang nakalilipas. Inihahambing nila si Pacquiao kay Hagler, na pipigil daw sa maliit na Hearns sa katauhan ni Morales.

"Many have likened Manny Pacquiao’s super featherweight debut against Erik Morales as potentially akin to that amazing piece of condensed fury," isinulat ni Matthew Sanderson sa tigerboxing.com. "Although few would predict a third round knockout, already the Filipino star is classed as the Hagler, who will stop Morales’ Hearns. One could be forgiven for this comparison. The lanky Morales shares with Hearns a similar build, and carries his power on his travels up the weight divisions. The shorter Pacquiao shares a left-handed stance with Hagler and while a solid puncher, likewise prefers to grind his foes down gradually."

Ayon sa maraming miyembro ng sports media, kayang kunin ni Pacquiao si Morales sa kalagitnaan ng laban.

"Ngayon, baliktad na," paliwanag ni Noel Zarate, executive producer ng Solar Sports Desk. "The last time, Manny had all the distractions: the problems with Bob Arum and his manage-ment team; his gym was open to anybody; he was the one looking for tickets for his family members. Everything was a problem. Now, Morales has just gotten married, had an extended holiday, and is working with a new trainer after firing his father."

Ayon sa boxing analyst at abogadong si Ed Tolentino, nakakaligtaan ng marami ang huling laban ng dalawang bida.

"Erik Morales has been having trouble ever since he moved up to the junior lightweight division," sabi ni Tolentino, ang analyst ng lingguhang programa ng ABS-CBN na "Knockout" mula 1999 hanggang 2000. "The first thing he lost was his punching power. He hasn’t been able to score a knockout since he moved out."

"The key will be how Manny carries the fight," dagdag naman ng fitness expert at boxing instructor na si Chinggay Andrada. "If he doesn’t get careless, he’ll knock out Morales around the eighth round. He used to have the tendency to forget his defense once they hitting got heavy. I don’t think he’ll do that anymore."

"I see Manny taking out Morales in the later rounds, probably eight to 10," pagdidiin ni Zarate. "If he doesn’t, then he’ll be in trouble."

 Ayon kay Zarate, nakausap niya si World Boxing Council light flyweight champion Brian Viloria na magsisilbing analyst ng Solar Sports para sa laban. Ayon kay Zarate, sinabi ng beterano ng 2000 Olympics na masyadong magaling si Morales para mapatumba ni Manny. Subalit naniniwala pa rin daw si Viloria na makukuha ni Pacman ang laban.

 "Pacquiao was more impressive in his last fight than Morales was," pahabol ni Tolentino. "Pacquiao had more power, was more polished, and Morales has been getting sloppy. So let’s block out all the great fights, and look at their latest bouts. You are only as good as your last fight. I believe Manny will knock out Morales somewhere around the eighth round."

 Sana’y magdilang-anghel sila.