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Photo © HoganPhotos.com
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Manny Pacquiao burst onto the American boxing scene in 2001 stopping IBF Super Bantamweight champion Lelo Ledwaba in six rounds. Since the Ledwaba victory Pacquiao shot to the top of the boxing ranks, thrilling fans along the way. He disposed of the contenders as expected and when put in front of his biggest test, Marco Antonio Barrera, he looked just as impressive. It was starting to look as if Manny Pacquiao was unstoppable, that was until he ran into Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao sent Marquez crashing to the canvas three times in the first round. In this case three times was not a charm as Marquez battled back through out the next 11 rounds to squeak out a draw against Pacquiao.
A rematch with Marquez never materialized so Pacquiao went on to stop Fahsan 3K Battery in four rounds. Next in line for Pacquiao was Erik "El Terrible" Morales. The fight lived up to the expectations but for the first time in six years Manny Pacquaio saw his oppenent's arm raised in victory. A rematch was set between Pacquiao and Morales but first each man stepped into the ring for "tune ups."
Pacquiao won his fight against Hector Velazquez; however, Erik Morales' tune up quickly became a tune out as he dropped a decision to Zahir Raheem. As it goes in boxing styles make fights and its obvious Raheem's style was too much for Morales on that night. But on January 21st Morales will not have to deal with Raheem and his slick style; it will be Pacquiao in front of him and in front of him is right where Manny Pacquiao will be. Win or lose Manny Pacquiao has cemented his legacy in boxing. It may not be as one of the best to lace up the gloves but he has plenty of time and quality opponents to get there.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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By Kenny Perrault (January 12, 2006)
