Second largest attendance in history of Thomas n Mack

	Photos by Rick Rosen

On Saturday, November 18^th Manny Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KO’s) of Manilla Philippines fought a heroic Erik Morales (49-5-, 24 KO’s) of Tijuana Mexico drawing 18,275 boxing fans recording it as the 2^nd largest attendance in the history of the Thomas n Mack. The fightcard was titled the Grand Finale were two warriors represented their countries. As, both fighters battled it out the crowds cheered out their names. Top Rank and Wynn the promoters of the fight with its advertising partner Budweiser, were electrified with this fightcard as it was action, for the most part throughout the evening.

Beginning with round one Erik Morales looked good and executed some strong body shots to Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao on the other hand, countered with lightning combinations and power to back it up. In the second round Pacquiao knocked Morales down as he landed an overhand right to his left temple. It was obvious that Morales, was dazed, but managed to hold his own. The third round however showed Pacquiao, with dominance when he knocked Morales down again. Morales stood back up, the warrior he is and proceeded to score more body shots to Pacquiao. Pacquiao then unloaded combinations to Morales knocking him down for the last town to retain his WBC International Super Featherweight Title. Pacquiao was recorded at knocking out Morales at 2:57 of the third round. There is no question now, as who is the best pound for pound fighter of his weight class in the world. CompuBox punch stats showed Pacquiao connecting 51 of 71 power shots in the third round. The overall punches connected were 94 for Pacquiao and 44 for Morales, with 11 jabs connecting for Pacquiao and 14 for Morales. In power punches Pacquiao connected 83 and Morales 30. A broken hearted Morales said at the after fight press conference, “Manny fought a great fight”. “If I fight again it will be in Tijuana, Mexico”. Pacquiao said, Morales was a great warrior and that he knew he had him in trouble when his right hand hit his left temple. He also gave credit to Freddie Roach who taught him to step aside and use his angles. At the end of the press conference Bob Arum announced that Pacquiao was under contract with Top Rank for the next 4 years.

	Photos by Rick Rosen

The WBC Light Flyweight Championship, a twelve round bout, had a talented, Brian Viloria (20-2-0-1, 12 KO’s) of Waipolia, Hawaii robbed of what he thought should have been a majority draw for him, when Omar Nino (25-2-1, 10 KO’s) of Guadalajara, Mexico had more than his share of set backs from Viloria. Viloria knocked Nino down once in the third round and once in the tenth, but because of the aggressive style Nino showed he won the majority draw retaining his WBC Light Flyweight Title. Judges Sammeul Conde had it 113-113, Dave Moretti scored it 115-112 for Nino and Judge Carol Castellano scored it 113-113 CompuBox punch stats showed Nino connecting a total of 141 punches, to Viloria 123. Nino connected 37 jabs to Viloria’s 19 and 111 power punches to Viloria’s 104.

Photos by Rick Rosen

The vacant WBO World Super Lightweight Title had Ricardo Torres (30-1, 27 KO’s) of Bolvar, Colorado win a split decision over Mike Arnaoutus (18-1-1, 9 KO’s) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Arnaoutus connected some strong punches to Torres, but Torres was the aggressor and also connected strong power shots to Arnaoutus. The 7^th round was a turning point for Torres when he was knocked down by Arnaoutus. There was also a question about the 11^th and 12^th rounds that were in Arnaoutus’s favor. Judge Adalaladie Byrd scored it 10 to 9 in favor of Torres on the 11^th round while Judge Harry Davis and Jerry Roth scored it 10-9 in favor of Arnaoutus. The score cards read 114 -113 in favor of Torres by Judge Harry Davis, Judge Adalaladie Byrd had a 116-11 for Torres and Judge Jerry Roth 113-114 in favor of Arnaoutus. CompuBox punch stats showed Ricardo Torres connecting a total of 156 punches to Arnaoutus’s 141, while both fighters tied a total of 41 jabs each. Torres connected 115 power shots to Arnaoutus’s 100.In conclusion to the fightcard the WBC Youth Super Bantamweight Title was won Bernabe Concepcion (19-1-1, 10 KO’s) of Regal Philippines, against Jokson Hernandez (12-1, 6 KO’s) of Enseneda, Mexico. The Judges score cards read 96-93 in favor of Concepcion by Judge Ed Kugler, 98-92 in favor of Concepcion for Robert Doyle and 96-93 in favor of Concepcion by Patricia Morse Jarman.