So the rematch is this Saturday. You know who I’m talking about. El Terrible vs. Pacman. In the lower weight divisions it just doesn’t get any better than this folks. Many people are picking a replay of the first fight in which there was a close competitive fight with a clear victor in Morales. It’s definitely understandable in watching the replay of the fight since Erik has proved to be the bigger and more versatile fighter of the two. However, there are a number of questions going into the rematch that can will be answered Saturday nigh.
1. Can Erik make the 130 pound limit strongly and comfortably?
Yes. I think that he can. He only has to touch upon the weight for a second or two and then he can balloon up to the 140’s. There has been no talk about him having trouble making weight this time around. Erik’s weight should not be an issue.
2. Will the Reyes gloves make a difference in the fight?
Yes. At these lower weight classes, all the subtle things that are a wash in the higher weight divisions, make a good-sized difference here. With the Reyes gloves, Manny will most importantly be more confident and comfortable going into the fight. It’s like asking Barry Bonds to change up his bat size going into a big game. It will affect his mind as well as his ability to swing. In addition to the positive effects for Manny, the negative effects for Erik will be the swelling up and busting up of his face. Reyes are known to be harder and more compact than any other gloves out there. Manny landed quite frequently on Erik the first time around and this time the damage will be that much more with the hitters on.
3. Can Freddie Roach make the proper adjustments to come out victorious?
Yes. If there’s a trainer out there that can take a fighter to the next level it is Freddie Roach. He knows what he has in a fighter and he knows what can and can’t be changed. I believe Freddie will focus on the subtleties that made Manny effective as well as working on slightly countering his deficiencies. I see a much more polished and focused Manny Pacquiao this time around.
4. Is there anything Erik can do to improve upon his last performance?
No. Did Erik fight the perfect textbook fight last time? No. What the fans and media must understand is that going into the first fight, people were expecting Pacquiao to stop and hurt Erik in brutal fashion. The fact that he stood up to many of Pacquiao’s assaults counted for Erik. His show-boating and bravado worked in his favor in his eyes of the fans and the judges. Had he fought completely textbook countering behind a well placed jab, without the tantrums, without the show-boating, he might not have been seen as such a clear victor.
So going in the rematch I pick Manny Pacquiao to come out victorious because of the R&R factors. Reyes and Roach. If you replay the first match with Reyes gloves and the Freddie Roach factor, I’m confident you would see Manny winning those close rounds and doing more damage in the exchanges. Erik will no doubt put on a great performance but it will be another close one but with Manny as the victor. I know many people will ask, well what about the Roach factor in the first fight? Well, from hearing Roach talk for years, he seems to be a straight shooter and if he says that Pacquiao was unfocused and that they took Morales lightly, I just happen to believe the guy. My money is on Pacquiao by decision.
