COMPUBOX POST-FIGHT ANALYSIS

by Bob Canobbio

Move over pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, there's a new sheriff in town- his name is Manny Pacquiao.

Pacquiao totally annihilated Mexican legend Erik Morales in three rounds Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Arena as a crowd of 18,276, the second largest to witness a boxing match in Nevada, roared with every landed punch.

Pacquiao won round one, but didn't dominate. He landed 15 of 41 total punches (37%) to 10 of 41 (24%) for Morales, who actually weighed five pounds less than Manny after both fighers stepped on HBO's unofficial scale in their respective dressing rooms. Of Pacquiao's 15 round one connects, 10 were power shots- in 19 attempts. He wasn't going to have to look too far to find Morales in their rubber match. Erik, weakened from yet another battle with the scale (he reportedly weighed 170 lbs in August), was right there in front of Manny, ready and willing to go out on his shield.

Morales' desperation was evident by round two. He threw 80 punches- his highest in- round total from any of their previous 23 rounds. He landed 21, including 17 of 59 power shots. The punches caused Pacquiao to retreat to the ropes, but had no real visible effect on Manny, who upped his output to 55 thrown, 24 landed, including 22 of 41 power shots (54%). Manny, fighting like a well-oiled machine, was not wasting shots- he was making every punch count, breaking down Morales in the process. A left hook dropped Morales late in round two. The end was near.

Pacquiao continued to attack Morales' midsection with left hands in the third, mixing in his Freddie Roach-inspired right hook. Sensing Morales' fragile state, Pacquiao looked to end the fight. He dropped Morales twice in the round, landing 51 of 71 power shots (72%) in the process- the most power punches landed against Morales in a round in 22 of his fights tracked by CompuBox. Despite Manny's non-stop assault, the game Morales managed to get off 50 punches in the third, landing 13. Too little, too late- this was the younger, stronger Pacquiao's night.

As referee Vic Drakulich counted following the second knockdown, Morales looked to his father in his corner. Perhaps he was hoping his Dad would throw in the towel before the count reached ten. Morales, Sr. did not- Erik was counted out and should not be ashamed. He's a first ballot Hall of Famer. Who can forget his thrilling trilogy vs. Marco Antonio Barrera, his domination of Pacquiao in their first fight or his victories over the ten other champions he fought?

Thanks for the memories, Erik.