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2:33 - What Do You Do When The Impossible Happens?
THU January 26, BUSTER PARIS - It took a while for it to register. It’s not something I’ve ever seen before…well, I’ve seen it happen to other people, but never even imagined it could happen to him.
The most confusing part was that I thought I saw a hint of it coming, but realized that there’s simply no way that it could happen – not to him - it’s not possible, but isn’t that exactly what’s taking place right before my eyes.
How do you understand and comprehend the improbable and how do you accept the unacceptable?
Honestly - what do you do when the impossible happens?
The world began to shift on Saturday night – January 21st 2006 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada where Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao were facing each other for the 2nd time.
Highlights:
Round 1 I scored as a draw. It started as a 1st round usually does – a feeling out process that soon got busier. The evening’s roles were being established – Pacquiao was to be the faster of hand and foot. Morales was to be the stronger one who would land the more powerful punches.
Round 2 confirmed the developing theme. Manny would be the aggressor, but Erik would be the one landing the heavier shots. Manny would land hard and fast flurries of 3 to 4 shot combinations and Erik would answer back with 3 to 5 bombs of his own - and then near the end of the round Manny’s straight left started to make a big impact and Erik almost goes down, he uses the ropes to balance himself and once steadied they slug it out. Morales can’t stop that straight left. I gave this round to Pacquiao
There’s nothing overly concerning for Morales fans here. We’ve seen Erik in trouble at times before, but it’s only round 2…
Round 3 – these exchanges are what boxing is all about and the theme continues with Morales landing powerful and hard hitting shots as Pacquiao is quickly buzzing in and out like a fly on a mission. He’s the initiator, super fast and nimble, yet somewhat awkward, on his feet, but Erik is landing the harder and more damaging blows. It’s Morales’ round
Rounds 4 & 5 – I gave both these rounds to Morales – the theme is now turning into the rhythm or flow of the fight and it surged on with Manny tracking and following Erik. Pacquiao would explode in with 2 to 3 light punch combinations and Erik would answer hard in his reply with 1 to 2 destructive counter shots.
Throughout rounds 4 and 5 Pacquiao lands nice clean blows and in round 5 the straight left is all over Erik and is beginning to become a very effective weapon, but for the most part Morales is landing the better, heavier and more serious punches.
As an aside - I noted that in between rounds Erik had been getting good advice. Not the usual “you look great, doing great” cheerleading he would normally receive, but he was getting actual tactical advice and I thought this was a good improvement from his new corner.
Rounds 6, 7 and 8 are all Manny Pacquiao’s rounds. Manny looks sharper, has more bounce and has lots of life in him. Erik looks slow, tired, beat up and wobbly. It’s an odd sight to see and in the back of my head I hear that first whisper of concern.
At the end of the 6th Morales almost goes down. He falls backward into referee Kenny Bayless and is in trouble.
It’s here that Morales fans tilt their collective heads and look on puzzled and confused. If this were any other fighter I’d be counting down the punches and getting ready for this fight to be over, but it’s not any other fighter – it’s Erik “El Terrible” Morales. This man does not go off his feet. Period.
The exchanges and clashes of rounds 6, 7 and 8 are excellent. Manny is flurrying all over Erik and I don’t think I’ve ever seen Morales’ head, face and nose take a more massive beating.
In between each of these middle rounds Morales’ corner rubs his legs and the whispers of concern starts pointing out things - like Morales is tired - and his legs are going.
Round 9 – is the slowest round of the fight and is another round for Pac Man. Pacquiao is again the aggressor and for a spell they meet in the center of the ring trading punches. Then Morales backs off. Erik Morales shuffles away from Manny Pacquiao and looks like he could go at any moment. Its one of the strangest sights I’ve seen in boxing only to be followed and outdone by one of the most incomprehensible sights I’ve ever seen in our beloved sport.
Round 10 – Morales is working that jab again and Pacquiao is working the body. Erik’s hands are dangerously dangling by his sides. He’s exhausted and Manny is skillfully pecking away at him.
Then the world stopped.
52 seconds remaining and down goes Morales! It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him go down. They say it’s only the second time in his career, but for some reason I think it’s the first and only time.
How do you understand and comprehend the improbable and how do you accept the unacceptable?
Honestly - what do you do when the impossible happens?
Erik is up at the count of 9 and then with 27 seconds remaining Erik Morales is put down again.
Kenny Bayless stops the fight – and 2:33 into the 10th round the world is forever changed.
Erik Morales is TKO’d.
The instant replay is like watching the Zapruder film – reliving John F. Kennedy’s assassination and knowing that from 1963 on - an entire nation will irrevocably be changed forever. That an entire country and its 1960’s generation of people will forever mourn that day in November and will forever intensely feel that very deep and profound sense of loss.
That’s how I feel at 2:33 into round 10. That’s how I feel when Kenny Bayless waves the fight over…and that’s how I feel typing this for you.
Erik Morales is TKO’d. The impossible has happened.
I don’t mean to take anything away from Manny Pacquiao or paint him in the role of Oswald - not at all. Manny fought the better fight and was the better man that night. He deserves all the glory and he truly is a great champion and a wonderful human being. I have nothing but respect and admiration for him as a person and as a fighter.
Especially as a fighter – he’s blazingly fast, a Southpaw, unrelenting and he now has the distinct honor of being the only warrior to knockout Erik Morales – and he is the only fighter to knockout both Morales AND Marco Antonio Barrera. The enormity of that fact is simply overwhelming and speaks volumes of Pacquiao’s talent, skill and gigantic heart.
Post fight – Morales told HBO’s Larry Merchant that he’s tired and needs a rest. That he fell down because he was tired – tired from - and of - making weight and that he was getting tired of boxing. He also said that he needs a vacation – and man, if anyone needs and deserves a vacation its Erik Morales.
So - here we are – in a bold new world – a world where Erik Morales got knocked out. I’m not sure how to accept this fact. I’m not sure I understand it and at this point in time I know I don’t like it.
I also know that I’ll spend however long feeling somewhat restless and unfulfilled - anxiously awaiting the 3rd meeting of El Terrible and Pac Man.
Rest up Erik – you’ve more than earned it.
In direct response to TalkingBoxing.com’s readers - I want to thank everyone who has written in to gloat and rub my face in yet another wrong prediction. These notes have not only been brutal and unyielding in playfully pummeling me, but they have been hysterical, honest and very much appreciated – I love the camaraderie of TalkingBoxing.com’s readers and I am very grateful for all of you who took the time to share a laugh.
Keep ‘em coming!
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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