Life After Manny Pacquiao: Erik Morales Vs Marcos Maidana
By Geno McGahee
Manny Pacquiao is the biggest name in the sport, a fighter that many contend is the best pound for pound boxer in the world. He is so good that a victory over him would launch any fighter into the main event status, but nobody has been able to do it since Erik Morales.
Morales, 51-6, 35 KO’s, has had a long career despite being only 34 years old. He is much older when you figure in ring years and all of the wars that he has had. His most notable feud was with fellow Mexican star, Marco Antonio Barrera, where he went 1-2 in a three fight series. He would also go 1-2 in a three fight series with Manny Pacquiao.
Morales won his first 35 fights before being defeated by Barrera in the rematch, although all three fights were debatable. In 2005, Morales faced off against Pacquiao, and he had unbelievable focus, controlling the Filipino brawler en route to a unanimous decision. The rematch would be far different and it would be a far different beast across the ring from him.
Coming off of a shocking upset loss to Zahir Raheem, Morales would go into the second fight with Manny looking for redemption, but with the development of Pacquiao as more of a complete fighter, he had no answers. Morales was beaten and stopped in 10 rounds. With the two fighters tied at 1-1, a third meeting was set and it was a disaster. Morales had enough in three rounds, and it was over. This seemed like the end of the Morales run as a fighter, but he is a fighter and fighters fight.
After another defeat to David Diaz, Morales announced his retirement, but the lure of the fame and fortune brought him back and he has put together three straight wins over very mediocre opposition, leading into a fight with the big punching Marcos Maidana, 29-2, 27 KO’s.
Maidana is one of those fighters that are easy to build up. He sells tickets with his gutsy and power-punching performances. He refuses to die in the ring, getting up from the floor and usually chasing his opposition down. He burst onto the scene when he beat Victor Ortiz by 6th round stoppage. This led to a shot at Amir Khan, the WBA Light Welterweight Champion, and it didn’t start out well for him. Khan would land a vicious left hook to the body that put Maidana down and he was nearly out in the first round, but he arose and it was Khan hanging on for dear life at the end in a very close and exciting fight.
Rumors that Maidana is on the Pacquiao hit list, should he beat Mosley and continue fighting, make this a must win for him. The most likely scenario is a beating of an old warrior with a late stoppage or retirement. I would not be at all surprised if Morales quit on his stool, but there is a ray of hope.
Morales is durable, only being stopped by Manny Pacquiao, and he knows how to box. Maidana was exposed a little in a fight with Chop Chop Corley. He struggled to a decision win, and if Morales can keep his cool and has anything left, perhaps he can use his ring smarts and experience to steal a decision. He is the underdog, but it’s not an impossible fight.
In what will most likely be the fight of the night, the power-punching brawler Michael Katsidis, 27-3, 22 KO’s, will be looking to land his hooks on Robert Guerrero’s, 28-1-1, 18 KO’s, chin. Katsidis is coming off a spirited losing effort to Juan Manuel Marquez. He would drop Marquez but succumb to the skill and power of the Mexican puncher in nine rounds. His other defeats were to Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor, two other very good efforts. He gives his all and will fight until he is either stopped or he stops his opponent.
Guerrero is coming off of a win over Joel Casamayor, where both men were down. He is a power-puncher with questionable defense, making him the ideal opponent for Katsidis and the fans of the blood and guts style of boxing. Although Maidana-Morales isn’t a great headliner for a pay per view, this fight may make it worth it.
Paulie Malignaggi, 28-4, 6 KO’s, will be taking on Jose Miguel Cotto, 32-2-1, 24 KO’s, in hopes to exact some revenge against the Cotto family. Malignaggi lost badly to the power-punching Miguel Cotto in 2006, where he was badly beaten and looked like he went through the windshield in a bad car accident. Malignaggi’s feather fists may not be enough to keep this Cotto at bay. The big issue with Jose Miguel Cotto is that every time he has stepped up, he has lost. Most of his career has been built on mediocrities or less, and Malignaggi may be able to control him. It’s an interesting fight, but it doesn’t mean much for the sport.
James Kirkland, 27-0, 24 KO’s, got out of prison after 2 years and is wasting no time in his comeback, having one fight on March 5th, a 34 second knockout of Ahsandi Gibbs, and a fight on March 18th, a second round stoppage of Jhon Berrio. He now fights Nobuhiro Ishida, 22-6-2, 7 KO’s.
Ishida has not been stopped in his career, and he has not been put into any easy fight. He has been thrown to the wolves and has done rather well and is a definite threat to Kirkland. If Kirkland isn’t sharp, he could potentially lose a decision. He will have to work for this stoppage.
This PPV is set for Saturday and it is a full card that should be worth the money for the boxing fan. There is enough here to entertain.