The Battle!
MORALES Vs. PACQUIAO 2

THE RESULT

Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao 2
Saturday, January 21, 2006

Pacquiao In 10 Over Morales

In a fight that not only lived up to its billing "The Battle!", but surpassed it, Manny Pacquiao, the hero of the Philippines extracted sweet revenge with a brutal 10th round stoppage of Mexican icon, Erik Morales.

The fight didn't take long to get under way, and after the first minute of the first round, the fists were flying. Both had their moments, but the taller Morales' left jab was the difference in the first round.

Pac-man and Morales had an all out donnybrook in the second with Manny's body work and a huge straight left, which staggered Morales into the ropes, giving him the round.

Again, in the third was Morales establishing his jab and taking the round, but Pacquiao's work rate to the body and head was impressive.

Morales general ringship took the fourth and arguably the fifth, but Pacquiao was the aggressor and landed hard head and body shots, keeping it close.

Manny really picked up the pace and hammered Morales all around the ring with his heavy left hand and right hooks to the body in the sixth.

Morales came out swinging in the 7th but by the end of the round, it was all Pacquiao and Morales appeared to be tired for the first time in the battle.

The 8th and 9th followed the same pattern as the aggressive Pacquiao walked through the tired Morales punches and punished Morales to the head and body. Morales looked like he was in serious trouble going to the corner after round 9.

Starting the 10th, Morales charged out of his corner in an attempt to sway the fight back in his favor and landed some nice hard shots, but Pacquiao fired back and was back in control by mid-round. Suddenly, a straight left to the top of Morales' head dropped him for a nine count. Upon rising, Manny swarmed all over him against the ropes and threw lefts and rights and dropped Erik in a heap.

The referee didn't bother to count and stopped the fight as a tired, exhausted and beaten-up Morales did not protest. It was the first time in Morales' career that he is knocked out and this may be the end of the road for the courageous warrior.

A fight between two first-class professionals did not disappoint and left the full house of 19,000 fans cheering for the full value of entertainment they just witnessed.