Post by LATAGAW on Sept 12, 2005 11:32:52 GMT 8
[glow=red,2,300]
First posted 00:34am (Mla time) Sept 12, 2005
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A25 of the Sept. 12, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANNY Pacquiao skillfully kept his end of the bargain, but Erik Morales proved an abject failure.
Looking forward to a rich, grudge rematch with Morales in January, the Filipino boxing icon stopped Mexican veteran Hector Velazquez in the sixth round of their super featherweight clash at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday.
But Morales, fighting in the other mainer of the same card billed "Double Trouble," absorbed a shock unanimous decision setback to former US Olympian Zahir Raheem in their 12-round lightweight fight.
The much-anticipated Jan. 21 pay-per-view Pacquiao-Morales rematch, however, is still on, according to the authoritative boxing website Fightnews.
It said Top Rank has confirmed the staging of the rematch, which will be telecast on HBO pay-per-view. The final venue has yet to be set, though.
While Pacquiao was no doubt the toast of the town, Fil-American Brian Viloria and Boholano Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista scored equally explosivewins that triggered instant fiesta-like celebration among Filipinos in Los Angeles.
Viloria, known as "Hawaiian Punch," captured the World Boxing Council light flyweight crown with a stunning first-round knockout of Mexican title-holder Eric Ortiz.
Bautista set the tone for the swift, decisive endings by knocking out Colombian Felix Flores Murillo in the third round of their 8-rounder.
The 19-year-old Bautista, now 17-0, with 13 KOs, exchanged punches with the stocky Murillo right at the start then put his rival away with a big right to the face in 1:12 of the third round.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista on TV, calling the three an example of the youth.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza also issued a congratulatory statement, saying the victory of Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila, is "good for all of us. This also serves as a signal to each of us to unite and work together."
Viloria, the 24-year-old native of Waipahu, Hawaii, whose parents hail from Narvacan and Sta. Maria towns in Ilocos Sur province, went up the ring with the Philippine flag proudly displayed by his father Ben, and a miniature Philippine flag emblazoned on his trunks.
"I was expecting to fight 12 rounds. You never expect to win by first-round knockout in a world championship," Viloria said.
In an interview with Fightnews, Morales was asked why he prefers to face Pacquiao than Raheem. Morales said: "Pacquiao says he wants to take my head off. Let's see if he can do it."
Pacquiao is reportedly raring to fly back to the Philippines to attend to an ailing relative, Fightnews added.
After his win, Fightnews said Raheem now wants to be considered one of the big names in the 130-lb category, along with the likes of Pacquiao, Morales, and Marco Antonio Barrera. He is set to meet with Top Rank soon to plan his future.
Promoter Bob Arum said Top Rank plans to pit Viloria against the winner of Arce-Hussein rematch or against WBO champ Ivan Calderon.
Salven L. Lagumbay, contributor[/glow]
First posted 00:34am (Mla time) Sept 12, 2005
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on page A25 of the Sept. 12, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANNY Pacquiao skillfully kept his end of the bargain, but Erik Morales proved an abject failure.
Looking forward to a rich, grudge rematch with Morales in January, the Filipino boxing icon stopped Mexican veteran Hector Velazquez in the sixth round of their super featherweight clash at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Saturday.
But Morales, fighting in the other mainer of the same card billed "Double Trouble," absorbed a shock unanimous decision setback to former US Olympian Zahir Raheem in their 12-round lightweight fight.
The much-anticipated Jan. 21 pay-per-view Pacquiao-Morales rematch, however, is still on, according to the authoritative boxing website Fightnews.
It said Top Rank has confirmed the staging of the rematch, which will be telecast on HBO pay-per-view. The final venue has yet to be set, though.
While Pacquiao was no doubt the toast of the town, Fil-American Brian Viloria and Boholano Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista scored equally explosivewins that triggered instant fiesta-like celebration among Filipinos in Los Angeles.
Viloria, known as "Hawaiian Punch," captured the World Boxing Council light flyweight crown with a stunning first-round knockout of Mexican title-holder Eric Ortiz.
Bautista set the tone for the swift, decisive endings by knocking out Colombian Felix Flores Murillo in the third round of their 8-rounder.
The 19-year-old Bautista, now 17-0, with 13 KOs, exchanged punches with the stocky Murillo right at the start then put his rival away with a big right to the face in 1:12 of the third round.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo congratulated Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista on TV, calling the three an example of the youth.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza also issued a congratulatory statement, saying the victory of Pacquiao, an adopted son of Manila, is "good for all of us. This also serves as a signal to each of us to unite and work together."
Viloria, the 24-year-old native of Waipahu, Hawaii, whose parents hail from Narvacan and Sta. Maria towns in Ilocos Sur province, went up the ring with the Philippine flag proudly displayed by his father Ben, and a miniature Philippine flag emblazoned on his trunks.
"I was expecting to fight 12 rounds. You never expect to win by first-round knockout in a world championship," Viloria said.
In an interview with Fightnews, Morales was asked why he prefers to face Pacquiao than Raheem. Morales said: "Pacquiao says he wants to take my head off. Let's see if he can do it."
Pacquiao is reportedly raring to fly back to the Philippines to attend to an ailing relative, Fightnews added.
After his win, Fightnews said Raheem now wants to be considered one of the big names in the 130-lb category, along with the likes of Pacquiao, Morales, and Marco Antonio Barrera. He is set to meet with Top Rank soon to plan his future.
Promoter Bob Arum said Top Rank plans to pit Viloria against the winner of Arce-Hussein rematch or against WBO champ Ivan Calderon.
Salven L. Lagumbay, contributor[/glow]