NO EASY ROAD TO POSSIBLE REMATCH MORALES, PACQUIAO FACE STIFF COMPETITION TONIGHT.Byline: Robert Morales Staff Writer Considering what's at stake, it's surprising that Erik Morales Erik Isaac Morales Elvira (born September 1, 1976 in Tijuana, Mexico) is a retired Mexican professional boxer. He is a former world champion at WBC / WBO Super Bantamweight (122 lb), WBC Featherweight (126 lb), WBC Super Featherweight, WBC International Super Featherweight (130 and Manny Pacquiao Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, (born December 17, 1978 in Kibawe, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines) is a Filipino professional boxer and reigning WBC International Super Featherweight champion. He is a former world champion at IBF Super Bantamweight, and WBC Flyweight divisions. are each fighting such formidable opponents tonight in co-feature bouts at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . Morales, of Tijuana, will take on Zahir Raheem in a 12-round lightweight fight. Pacquiao, of the Philippines, will face Hector Velazquez in a 12-round super featherweight bout. If Morales and Pacquiao win, they will engage each other in another big-money fight, either in December or January. Morales defeated Pacquiao in March by decision in a good fight at Las Vegas. Raheem and Velazquez could make this rematch difficult to attain. Raheem, a 1996 U.S. Olympian from Philadelphia, is 26-1 with 16 knockouts. Velazquez, of Tijuana, is 42-10-2 with 31 knockouts against an impressive field. ``There is a lot of concern,'' said Morales' promoter, Bob Arum, of Top Rank Inc. ``I mean, Zahir Raheem is a world-class fighter, an ex-Olympian. He has a style that is not very good for Erik. ``And Velazquez is a real tough Mexican fighter, a real banger. So, these are tough, tough fights.'' HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy will televise tel·e·vise tr. & intr.v. tel·e·vised, tel·e·vis·ing, tel·e·vis·es To broadcast or be broadcast by television. [Back-formation from television. both fights live beginning at 6:45 p.m. Preliminaries begin at 4:05 p.m. Studio City resident Brian Viloria, originally from Waipahu, Hawaii, will challenge Eric Ortiz of Mexico City for Ortiz's World Boxing Council The World Boxing Council was initially created by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela, and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of light flyweight title on the undercard un·der·card n. The event or events coming before and supporting the main event, as of boxing matches. . Morales (48-2, 34 KOs) is fighting for the first time at lightweight. He has won world titles in the super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight divisions. He said he knows Raheem is no pushover push·o·ver n. 1. One that is easily defeated or taken advantage of. 2. Something that is easily done or attained. See Synonyms at breeze1. , but that he is bent putting on a dazzling show. ``I'm coming in at 135 and I want people to see what I can do at this weight,'' Morales said. ``I don't want to lose my speed and quickness. I think I have more strength at this weight.'' Raheem is not stupid. He knows a victory over Morales would do wonders for his career. ``This,'' Raheem said, ``is the opportunity I have been waiting for my entire life.'' Pacquiao, who is trained by Freddie Roach, said he is definitely not taking Velazquez lightly. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Should they defeat their respective opponents tonight, Erik Morales, left, and Manny Pacquiao will fight again in December or January. Donald Miralie/Getty Images Box: FIGHT NIGHT |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion