Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales will compete in The Grand Finale this Saturday from the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. This fight is the culmination of their trilogy that has already produced two fantastic fights. It’s a fight that boxing fans can’t wait to see but Morales’ weight may stop it from ever happening. Also on the card, Mike Arnaoutis and Ricardo Torres will battle for the light welterweight title vacated by Miguel Cotto. Omar Nino Romero will defend his light flyweight title against Brian Viloria. It’s an action-packed card that you will not want to miss.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales
Money Lines: Pacquiao -275; Morales +215
The first fight between these two was a bloody unanimous decision victory for Erik Morales. The second bout was just as entertaining but this time Pacquiao was the victor by TKO. It marked the first time Morales was legitimately knocked down and the first time Morales lost due to stoppage.
Despite being just 30 years old, Morales looks like a beaten man in the twilight of his career. Morales was once in consideration for the pound-for-pound sovereignty but has recently lost three of his last four. He will be forever linked to Marco Antonio Barrera but can create a new legacy for himself by winning this trilogy with Manny Pacquiao. That is, if Morales makes weight. Morales is always battling weight and both camps are worried that Morales may not make it under the 130-pound limit. Morales is so worried that he hired a sports trainer whose sole purpose is to get Morales under weight. If not, Pacquiao’s camp will benefit financially. Morales owes Pacquiao $500,000 for every pound he is over. Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said they will go on with the fight if Morales is two pounds over. If he is three pounds over or more, they will opt out of the fight.
After watching the first two fights, and especially the ending of the second fight, it’s no wonder why Manny is favored in this fight. He’s three years younger and has the psychological advantage of owning a knockout of Morales. That being said, Morales has something to prove. I’m just not so sure that he has anything left to prove it with. Pacquiao’s power will once again be too much for Morales to handle and it may be time for this tested warrior to call it quits.
Prediction: Pacquiao by TKO in the 9th round.
Mike Arnaoutis vs. Ricardo Torres
Money Lines: Arnaoutis -135; Torres +105
This contest will be for the WBO Light Welterweight Title. Neither men are currently the champion as the title was vacated by Miguel Cotto when he moved up in weight class. Arnaoutis is an undefeated southpaw from Greece fighting in his first world title fight. He doesn’t have much experience with only nineteen total fights but has taken on a few notable opponents in Jesse Feliciano and Juan Urango. Torres, on the other hand, built his 29-1 record by beating up bums in his native Columbia. His lone loss came to Miguel Cotto in a seven round slugfest. Torres had the heavily favored Cotto wobbled in that fight but couldn’t rise from a seventh round knockout. Despite the loss, Torres made a name for himself with that performance and beat up another bum in Columbia to get this title shot.
Arnaoutis is the more skilled fighter but Torres is not someone that will go away easily. Torres has the tenacity to end the fight with one flurry. I’m picking Mighty Mike Arnaoutis to avoid that power and his boxing skill to gain the title.
Prediction: Arnaoutis by unanimous decision.
Omar Nino Romero vs. Brian Viloria
Money Lines: Nino +160; Viloria – 200
I usually don’t get excited about fights beneath the featherweight division but this is one matchup I have my eye on. Romero defends his WBC Light Flyweight Title against the man he won it from, Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria. Romero was unheralded at the time and simply outworked the unmotivated Viloria. A 2000 US Olympian, Viloria seeks to avenge his only loss. I see no reason why Viloria won’t be supremely focused for this rematch. Even though Romero is the champion and already holds a win over Viloria, Hawaiian Punch is still the favorite so Vegas feels the same way. I’ll give Romero the benefit of the doubt for being a game fighter so it will go the distance, but the title is going back to its previous holder.
Prediction: Brian Viloria by unanimous decision.
Juan Carlos Salgado vs. Marcos Licona
This is nothing more than a showcase for Salgado, an up-and-coming super featherweight from Mexico. Licona has been in the ring with world champions and went the distance with Oscar Larios. It will be a good test for Salgado but there is no reason why he shouldn’t get the win.
Prediction: Juan Carlos Salgado by KO in the 6th round.
Non-Televised Bouts
Joksan Hernandez vs. Bernabe Concepcion – 10 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
Fernando Beltran Jr vs. Edel Ruiz – 8 Round Featherweight Bout
Vanes Martirosyan vs. Edgar Reyes – 6 Round Light Middleweight Bout
Alejandro Perez vs. Oscar Martinez – 6 Round Super Bantamweight Bout
