Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales

On March 19, 2004, the highly anticipated fight between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales is a fan’s fight! The two will match up at the 130 pound limit, with no title on the line.

Let’s compare the two fighters!

Manny Pacquiao, a Philippine native, is a former two-time world champion … and regarded as one of the hardest punchers in his weight class. Pacquiao has a record of 39 victories, 2 losses, one draw and 31 victories by way of KO.

The Mexican born Erik Morales, has a record of 47 victories, 2 losses, and 34 KOs. Erik is only the second Mexican champion to have won three world titles in three separate weight divisions, and regarded as one of the best fighters in the world.

But, just having good fight records isn’t enough to make a great fight. Styles make great fights, and both Pacquiao and Morales have crowd-pleasing styles.

So, who has the advantage?

Styles:
Manny Pacquiao is a powerful southpaw with a devastating straight left hand. He is most dangerous when he’s hurt. Erik Morales is a powerful orthodox fighter, and he too is most dangerous when he’s hurt. Despite being the taller of the two fighters, Erik Morales doesn’t fight like a tall fighter, and this may prove to be a mistake for Morales. Erik Morales can’t afford to get lured into a slugfest with Pacquiao. In previous fights, Erik has proven he will abandon his jab and give up his height to score his punches.
Advantage: Pacquiao

Circumstances:
Manny Pacquiao is moving up in weight to take this fight. Typically, the bigger fighter is able to punch harder and is used to heavier punches.
Advantage: Morales

Speed:
Despite moving up in weight, Manny’s trainer Freddy Roach says Pacquiao hasn’t lost any of his speed. This is good because Morales looked slow and lethargic in his last fight.
Advantage: Pacquiao

Chin:
Manny Pacquiao is a physically strong fighter, but both of his losses have come by way of knockout in the third round. This means that Pacquiao’s chin is suspect in the early rounds. By contrast, Erik Morales has never been stopped.
Advantage: Morales

Punching Power:
Both fighters have a knockout percentage of 69%, however I would give the advantage to Pacquaio because he will be shooting his power punch from the southpaw stance. For Morales, Manny’s punches will be coming from an angle he’s not accustomed to. If Morales hopes to win, he must stay disciplined and keep moving to Pacquiao’s right in order to avoid Manny’s big left hand.
Advantage: Pacquiao

Stamina:
Both fighters have great training, and both come prepared to fight the full 12 rounds.
Advantage: Even

Experience:
Erik Morales has fought the better opposition, but both fighters have fought the highly regarded Marco Antonio Barrera. The difference is that Pacquiao was able to stop Barrera in their first and only meeting, and Morales was never able to stop Barrera in three of their 12 round fights … and lost two of their three matches.
Advantage: Pacquiao

Versatility:
Because of his experience, Morales has proven that he can adapt to various styles, meaning that Morales would be more able to make adjustments in the ring. By contrast, Manny Pacquiao has shown that he can be out-boxed.
Advantage: Morales

Courage:
Both fighters have proven their courage and tenacity.
Advantage: Even

If Pacquiao is to win, he must lure Morales into a slugfest where he can beat Morales to the punch, and do what no other fighter has been able to do … stop Morales. The deeper the fight goes, the more opportunities Morales will have. Which is why Pacquiao's handlers are predicting an early KO. It makes sense for Pacquiao to push the pace early on the slower Morales.

If Morales is to win, he must remain disciplined and not get reckless. Morales must keep moving to Manny’s right in order to avoid Pacquiao’s heavy left hand. If Morales fights this fight like a tall fighter; uses his jab and doesn't get lured into a slugfest, he can catch Manny reaching in and knock him out.

--Mighty Moe