Pac Man triumphs in 'Grand Finale'
Joe Nguyen, staff writer
Nov. 19, 2006

AP Photo/Isaac Brekken Manny Pacquiao, center, of the Philippines, gestures to the crowd after his victory over Erik Morales, from Mexico, in their scheduled 12-round, super featherweight boxing match at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nov. 18. Pacquiao won with a third-round knockout.

LAS VEGAS – The rubber match between Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao was supposed to be a battle of epic proportions.

It was for three rounds.

The 27-year-old Pacquiao (43-3-2, 34 KOs) knocked out Morales (48-5, 34) at 2:57 in the third round Nov. 18 at the Thomas & Mack Arena. Morales was dropped three times by Pacquiao during the match. Prior to the bout, Morales had only been knocked down three times, two of which came at the hands of Pacquiao during their January fight.

Both fighters came out firing, but it was clear that Pacquiao was faster and stronger. In the second round, Pacquiao dropped Morales with a left hand. Morales rallied, but it was to no avail as Pacquiao sent him to the canvas twice more in the third.

Touted as “The Grande Finale” by promoters, the title may ring true for Morales. After the match, he said in an interview that he was contemplating retirement.

As for Pacquiao, rumors have been persisting that he will fight WBC Super Featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera. The two fought once before on Nov. 15, 2003, when Pacquiao knocked out Barrera in the 11th round. In an interview after the fight Pacquiao said he didn’t want to talk about Barrera, rather he was going to return to the Philippines and celebrate his victory.

Pacquiao made $3 million while Morales made $2.75 million for the fight. Both will also receive a percentage of the pay-per-view earnings.

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