On March 19, 2005, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao faced off against Erik Morales in what would become an unforgettable classic. Morales, a Mexican legend, was coming off a loss to Marco Antonio Barrera but was still considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Pacquiao, riding high off his dominant win over Barrera and a draw with Juan Manuel Marquez, was eager to cement his place among boxing’s elite. This fight would mark the beginning of an intense trilogy between the two warriors.
Round 1
The opening round started cautiously, with both fighters feeling each other out. Pacquiao was bouncing on his toes, looking to use his speed and southpaw stance to create openings. Morales, known for his aggressive style and strong chin, was trying to establish his jab and keep Pacquiao at bay. Pacquiao landed a few sharp left hands, but Morales countered with solid right hands, letting Pacquiao know he wasn’t going to be pushed around. It was a close round, with both fighters having their moments, but Morales’s size and reach seemed to give him a slight edge.
Round 2
In the second round, the action started to heat up. Pacquiao came out more aggressively, landing quick combinations and trying to push Morales back. Morales, ever the warrior, stood his ground and fired back with hard right hands. Pacquiao’s speed was evident, but Morales’s timing and accuracy were impressive. Both fighters exchanged punches in the center of the ring, and the crowd was already on its feet. Morales landed a solid right hand that seemed to get Pacquiao’s attention. The round ended with both fighters trading shots, but Morales looked more composed.
Round 3
Pacquiao started the third round with a sense of urgency, attacking Morales with his trademark combinations. Morales continued to use his jab effectively, setting up his right hand. Midway through the round, Pacquiao landed a big left hand that rocked Morales, but Morales quickly recovered and responded with a flurry of his own. The pace of the fight was picking up, and both fighters were landing hard shots. Pacquiao’s speed and power were on display, but Morales’s toughness and counterpunching were keeping him in the fight. The round was close, but Pacquiao seemed to edge it with his aggression.
Round 4
The fourth round saw more intense exchanges between the two fighters. Pacquiao continued to press forward, throwing combinations and looking for openings. Morales, however, was finding success with his jab and right hand, landing clean shots on Pacquiao. Morales’s uppercuts were also starting to find their mark, catching Pacquiao as he came in. Both fighters were showing incredible resilience, taking and giving punishment in equal measure. The round ended with another furious exchange, and the crowd was loving every minute of it. Morales appeared to have the upper hand with his precise punching and effective counters.
Round 5
In the fifth round, the intensity showed no signs of letting up. Pacquiao came out aggressively, landing a series of punches that had Morales on the back foot. Morales, however, stood his ground and fired back with hard shots of his own. Pacquiao’s speed and power were causing problems for Morales, but Morales’s experience and toughness were allowing him to weather the storm. Midway through the round, Morales landed a big right hand that stunned Pacquiao, and he followed up with a series of punches that had Pacquiao covering up. The round ended with both fighters trading punches, but Morales seemed to have the better of the exchanges.
Round 6
The sixth round was another closely contested affair. Pacquiao continued to press the action, using his speed and southpaw stance to create angles and land punches. Morales, however, was countering effectively and landing hard shots of his own. Both fighters were showing incredible heart and determination, refusing to give an inch. The exchanges were fierce, with both fighters landing clean punches. The round ended with another furious exchange, and it was clear that neither fighter was willing to back down. The crowd was on its feet, and the fight was living up to its billing as a classic.
Round 7
In the seventh round, Morales began to take control of the fight. He was using his jab effectively, keeping Pacquiao at a distance and setting up his right hand. Pacquiao was still pressing the action, but Morales’s counterpunching was becoming more effective. Morales landed several clean right hands that seemed to slow Pacquiao down. Pacquiao’s aggression was undiminished, but Morales’s experience and technical skills were starting to show. The round ended with Morales landing a big right hand that had Pacquiao backing up. Morales appeared to be gaining the upper hand, but Pacquiao was still dangerous.
Round 8
The eighth round saw Morales continue to find success with his jab and right hand. Pacquiao was still pressing forward, but Morales’s counterpunching was causing him problems. Morales landed several clean shots, including a big right hand that seemed to stagger Pacquiao. Pacquiao, showing his incredible heart and determination, continued to press the action and landed some hard shots of his own. The exchanges were intense, with both fighters refusing to give an inch. The round ended with another furious exchange, and the crowd was loving every minute of it. Morales appeared to have the upper hand, but Pacquiao was still dangerous.
Round 9
In the ninth round, Pacquiao came out with renewed aggression, looking to turn the tide of the fight. He landed several hard shots that had Morales on the back foot. Morales, however, stood his ground and fired back with hard shots of his own. Pacquiao’s speed and power were causing problems for Morales, but Morales’s experience and toughness were allowing him to weather the storm. Midway through the round, Morales landed a big right hand that stunned Pacquiao, and he followed up with a series of punches that had Pacquiao covering up. The round ended with both fighters trading punches, but Morales seemed to have the better of the exchanges.
Round 10
The tenth round was another closely contested affair. Pacquiao continued to press the action, using his speed and southpaw stance to create angles and land punches. Morales, however, was countering effectively and landing hard shots of his own. Both fighters were showing incredible heart and determination, refusing to give an inch. The exchanges were fierce, with both fighters landing clean punches. The round ended with another furious exchange, and it was clear that neither fighter was willing to back down. The crowd was on its feet, and the fight was living up to its billing as a classic.
Round 11
In the eleventh round, Morales began to take control of the fight. He was using his jab effectively, keeping Pacquiao at a distance and setting up his right hand. Pacquiao was still pressing the action, but Morales’s counterpunching was becoming more effective. Morales landed several clean right hands that seemed to slow Pacquiao down. Pacquiao’s aggression was undiminished, but Morales’s experience and technical skills were starting to show. The round ended with Morales landing a big right hand that had Pacquiao backing up. Morales appeared to be gaining the upper hand, but Pacquiao was still dangerous.
Round 12
The final round was a fitting end to an incredible fight. Both fighters gave it their all, knowing the outcome was still in the balance. Pacquiao came out aggressively, looking for a knockout, while Morales continued to counter effectively. The exchanges were fierce, with both fighters landing big shots. Midway through the round, Pacquiao landed a big left hand that seemed to stagger Morales, but Morales quickly recovered and fired back with hard shots of his own. The round ended with both fighters trading punches, and the crowd was on its feet. The fight had lived up to its billing as a classic, and both fighters had given it their all.
Post-Fight
The fight ended with a unanimous decision victory for Erik Morales, with scores of 115-113 on all three judges’ scorecards. It was a hard-fought battle, and both fighters showed incredible heart and determination. Morales’s experience and technical skills had carried the day, but Pacquiao had shown that he was a force to be reckoned with. The fight was an instant classic, and it set the stage for an epic trilogy between the two warriors.
