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Photo © German Villasenor
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Erik Morales' loss to Zahir Raheem was no aberration, it was a sign of things to come. Manny Pacquiao administered a hellish beating to El Terrible. The Reyes gloves that covered Manny’s fists didn't make matters comfortable for Morales, they landed frequently turning his face into a grotesque mask but, they were not the story, it was the ring wars of fights past that came back to claim another great fighter.
Erik Morales was clearly not the same fighter that faced Manny Pacquiao in their first fight. El Terrible’s downfall started right after the first Pacquiao fight. The evidence was in front of our eyes in the Raheem fight but, we could not fully comprehend it. Whatever Erik had left in the tank was used up in the first Pacquiao fight. Many may disagree with this assessment but, I have seen it happen many times in the past.
The great light heavyweight champion Matthew Franklin or if you prefer, Matthew Saad Muhammad is one example. Matthew’s title fights were one huge highlight reel. When you watched one of his titled fights, you had to belt yourself in because it was going to be one wild and bumpy ride.
Fight after fight he would come back from the brink of extinction to pull out a victory. He would be rocked, wobbled and teetering on the edge of oblivion and then as if he was Popeye who just had his can of spinach, he'd come back and knock his opponent out. His fights were truly ring wars and classics!
Then one day this great fighter had nothing left to give, no more comebacks left in him. The wars of fights past finally claimed him as their victim and Dwight Muhammad Qawi was the instrument of destruction used.
This is not to take away from Dwight Muhammad Qawi or Manny Pacquiao; both fighters can stand on their own merit. A 100% Matthew or Erik were no sure thing against their conquerors.
Manny Pacquiao looked terrific Saturday evening and he deserves his just rewards. He did to Morales what no fighter before him had been able to do, he knocked him out, the same way Qawi knocked out Matthew Saad Muhammad.
I love Manny, he is great to watch, he is exciting, durable, skilled, gives you 110% and packs a wallop, what else can a fight fan ask for! I look forward to great things from him in the future. Congratulations Manny!
I will miss the El Terrible of old, maybe somewhere there is a fight or two left in the grand old champion. I thank you Erik, the wars of fights past may have claimed you but, they can not erase my fond memories of El Terrible!
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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By Frank Costarelli Jr (January 23, 2006)
