MORALES vs PACQUIAO

THE RESULT

Erik Morales vs Manny Pacquiao
Saturday, March 19, 2005

In nothing short of a quality and exciting superfight, Erik Morales outlasted Philippine sensation, Manny Pacquiao, winning a close but unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight identical 115-113 Morales, who improved to 48-2, 34 KO's.

In the opening round, both fighters took turns teeing off on each other. Morales began to use his size to his advantage and began to outbox Pacquiao for the next several rounds.

In round five, an accidental head butt opened a nasty cut over the Pac Man's right eye. The referee, Joe Cortez, ruled it incorrectly, as a legal blow. This changed the flow of the fight as Pacquiao became much more aggressive. Each man had their moments as they both traded solid blows.

The final three rounds swung back and forth with Pacquiao just falling short after scoring big in the 12th and final round.

It was a fight, which for once lived up to its expectations.