BERT SUGAR'S POST-FIGHT ANALYSIS

by Bert Sugar

Manny Pacquiao proved his superiority--as well as his numerical superiority, 2-to-1--over Erik Morales in the rubber match of their storied trilogy by administering a brutal beating to the Mexican legend last Saturday night at the Thomas and Mack Arena on front of a frenzied crowd of 18,000-plus. And in the process staked his claim for consideration as the best pound-for-pounder in boxing today.

For the first minute of the fight Morales stood his ground behind a sharp jab. But the left-handed Pacquiao, having been taught by trainer Freddie Roach that the union rate for hands was two, used his newfound right hand to catch Morales flush on the jaw with an overhand right. The proud Morales, believing that the faint of heart never won so much as a scrap of paper, fired back and it soon became a two-sided fight with each giving and taking. Only trouble was that even though Morales, with an I-can-do-it determination, returned Pacquiao's punches, it was return fire without the same firepower, Pacquiao's punches far faster and stronger.

And so it was that with a minute left in the second round with the two exchanging what CompuBox calls "power punches," Pacquiao caught Morales with one of his patented left-hand bombs, driving Morales into the ropes and down to his knees. From the look on Morales's face it was evident he knew the sad truth, that he didn't have enough to match Pacquiao's punching power and keep him at bay.

Morales tried mightily, a brief rally momentarily hurting Pacquiao, but it was to be a last hurrah, something akin to a dying tuberculosis patient having rosy cheeks. The end was now inevitable.

The third round began where the second had ended, with Pacquiao bombarding Morales with everything in his arsenal. Landing 51 of 71 power shots, both left-and right-handed, he dropped Morales with about a minute to go in the round. Morales arose and tried to stave off the Fillipino's assault, momentarily hurting him with a right hand. But it had minimal effect, Pacquiao merely shaking it off and coming back with more, a left hand flooring Morales with seconds to go in the round.

As Morales sat there, back resting on the ropes, looking over at his corner which was urging him to get back up. But Morales knew in his heart of hearts that even though he could, it was fruitless, that nothing more could be gained by getting back to absorb more punishment at the hands of Pacquiao and mentally threw in the towel at 2:57 of the third.

With the final wave of referee Vic Drakulich's arms signifying the end, the massive Filipino portion of the crowd erupted. For Manny Pacquiao, their national pride and the most famous celebrity in the Philippines had won, proving himself to be one of the best out there today.

But while Erik Morales, at 48-5, may now put his career in moth balls, his legacy secure and his induction into the Boxing Hall of Fame certain, Manny Pacquiao's takes on a new assessment and appreciation--and not just by his fellow countrymen. Coming off his performance against the legendary Morales, the Pac Man (43-3-2, 33 KO's) must be considered as one of those few who can be legitimately be considered on that sparsely populated island called "Best Pound-for-Pounder." And, in the eyes of many, may well be the best in the sport today.

Bert Randolph Sugar, called "Boxing's Foremost Historian", is the author of "Boxing's Greatest Fighters," Published by The Lyons Press and available at Border's, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com