Rematches and Rebounds: Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson & Sam Peter
By Geno McGahee
Erik Morales – Manny Pacquiao IV?
Erik Morales, the three division world champion, has noted that he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao once more. Morales has an impressive record of, 48-6, 34 KO’s, but it loses its luster when you examine his recent track record. He is 0-4 in his last 4 fights, losing twice by knockout to Manny Pacquiao.
Now Morales returns on March 27th, as a welterweight, hoping to rebound against Jose Alfaro, in a WBC International Welterweight title match. Prior to this fight, Morales would lose a decision to David Diaz and announce his retirement, but boxers that have reached the top level of the game usually do not leave quietly. They have to be convinced to go and amazingly, the two beatings by Manny Pacquiao have not done the trick. The four losses in a row have not convinced Morales to hang them up, and amazingly, he wants to fight “The Pacman” again.
In the first Pacquiao fight, Morales won…one of the few that hold a victory over the Filipino legend. In the second fight, Morales was beaten and battered to the floor in ten rounds. The tiebreaker was more of the same, only this time, it came in the third round. Pacquiao is in his prime, fighting better than ever and is stronger now than he was when he met Morales in 2006, when the Mexican boxer didn’t even see the fourth round.
Boxing has been called “The Cruelest Game,” and it is most certainly that. I’m sure that I’m not the only one thinking that the latest Morales comeback is going to end badly…horrible should he somehow convince Team Pacquiao to take a fourth fight. There is nothing worse than seeing a one time great fighter beaten to a pulp in their old age. It’s the norm in boxing though. Most greats leave the sport on their backs and I would bet that it happens with “El Terrible.”
It may just happen in this upcoming fight with Alfaro, a 26 year old with a decent punch.
Tyson – Holyfield III
Iron Mike will be involved with a reality show on Animal Planet called “Taking on Tyson,” where contestants will take on Iron Mike in pigeon races. Evander Holyfield, a man that has been denying any talks of a Mike Tyson rematch when he returns to boxing is now making statements, noting that Tyson would only make money if he were to fight him.
The building blocks are beginning to come into view and the two will collide eventually, and Holyfield wants it a lot more than Tyson. Holyfield needs it a lot more than Tyson.
When you look at the Pay Per View buy rates, Tyson had 6 of the top 10, 4 of the top 5. He is still a hot ticket in the sport, and no matter who he fights, he will draw big money in his first comeback fight. Holyfield cannot draw anymore, unless he has Tyson. Holyfield – Fres Oquendo, Holyfield – Lou Savarese, Holyfield – Nikolay Valuev…all got dismal buy rates. The interest is gone in “The Real Deal” and the current wife beater allegations, child support avoidance, and public finally realizing that he is one of the dirtiest fighters to ever lace up the gloves, he has lost a lot of his fan base. He has been exposed for the man that he is.
I do find it amusing that so many journalists are interviewing Holyfield and asking him to dismiss the Tyson comeback, despite the fact that it has been confirmed by Don King and despite the fact that he has been contacting King in hopes of getting the rematch and turning a buck.
Mike Tyson – Evander Holyfield III will most likely happen, but it won’t be Tyson’s first go out of the gate. At this point, it still appears to be Tony Grano or Derric Rossy, according to an inside source.
Sam Peter Back in the Mix
I was able to catch Sam Peter’s stoppage of Nagy Aguilera on youtube recently and at 237 pounds, I’m beginning to step slowly onto his bandwagon again. Peter was once a tremendous force in the division, drawing comparisons to Mike Tyson and David Tua, but things have changed.
Peter was at the peak of his popularity when he defeated James Toney in two fights, leading to a title shot against Oleg Maskaev. He would capture the title in six lopsided rounds via TKO. In 2008, a 253 pound Peter stepped into the ring to take on returning challenger Vitali Klitschko for the WBC Title, and this is when I, along with the rest of the world jumped off the Peter bandwagon. He didn’t fight. It looked like he threw the fight, not throwing any punches, showing any aggression, and disgracing himself and the sport. It was disgusting.
To embarrass himself some more, Peter took on Eddie Chambers in his next bout, and came in at 265 pounds. He would lose that fight by decision and would fall off the map of heavyweight contenders, but something has changed and the “Nigerian Nightmare” is apparently focused again, coming in at the 240 pound range for each of his last four fights, all of which he won by knockout. If you see him in the ring, he looks fit. This is the Sam Peter to get excited for, but can he maintain focus.
He won the IBF Title Eliminator by squashing Aguilera in two rounds, a man that demolished former champion, Oleg Maskaev in one round. I can see Peter giving any of the champions hell should they elect to fight him, unless he regresses back to his old ways and becomes a passive and fat zombie in the ring, taking punishment and waiting to be stopped or lose on the cards. There is no reason why Peter shouldn’t be in the top 5 of the division and at 237 pounds, he has a world of potential again. Let’s hope that he can keep his head on straight.