Pac-Man devours Morales
Joe Nguyen, staff writer
Jan. 21, 2006

AP Photo/Eric Jamison Manny Pacquiao, right, connects with a punch to Erik Morales during the fourth round of their super featherweight boxing match.

LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao (41-3-2, 32 KOs) defeated Erik Morales (48-4-0, 34 KOs) with a 10th-round technical knockout in their highly anticipated rematch.

For Morales, this was the first time he’s been knocked out in his career. Pacquiao retains the WBC International Super Featherweight title and becomes the top contender for Marco Antonio Barrera’s WBC super featherweight title.

For the first five rounds, the two combatants fought in a fast-paced manner and the momentum shifted back and forth. Then Morales’ legs looked like they were growing tired.

By the 10th round, Pacquiao capitalized on Morales’ fatigue and measured a left hook that sent the former world champion collapsing to the canvas. Morales rose back up, but Pacquiao met him with a flurry of hits that immediately dropped him back down and impelled referee Kenny Bayless to call the fight.

Morales opened the fight looking like the fighter he was prior to his loss to Zahir Raheem in September, but couldn’t handle the new and improved Pacquiao. Pacquiao sidestepped more and added new attacks this time around instead of coming in head on as he did in their first encounter.

Other fights on the card:
Martin Castillo, Hacienda Heights, Calif., outpointed Alexander Munoz, Venezuela, 12, to retain the WBA super flyweight title.
Jose Luis Zertuche, Mexico, outpointed Marcos Primera, Dunham, N.C., 10, middleweights.
Jimrex Jaca, the Philippines, stopped Geronimo Hernandez, Mexico, 1, super featherweights.
Juan Miguel Lopez, Puerto Rico, knocked out Jose Luis Caro, Mexico, 3, featherweights.
Grzegorz Proksa, Poland stopped Gene Newton, Neopit, Wis., 3, light middleweights.
Savador Garcia, Whittier, Calif., outpointed Carlos Valcarcel, Puerto Rico, 6, bantamweights.
Juan Pablo Montes de Oca, Las Vegas, drew Ramon Montano, Las Vegas, 6, light welterweights.

Joe Nguyen is a staff writer for asiaXpress.com. You can reach Joe at joe@asiaxpress.com.