On September 10, 2005 Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales fought on the same card; a supposed tuneup for both men on the way to a rematch of their exciting first fight won by Morales.  Well, it worked for Pacquiao who Ko'd competitive Hector Valasquez, Jr.  But Morales was solidly beaten by the quicker Zahir Raheem.  Their rematch may go forward anyways, as that's where the money is.  Now for the photos of the fights.

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1.  Philipine, Mexican flags vie for attention before beginning
of Manny Pacquiao/Hector Valazquez, Jr. fight.
2. Valazquez won the first round with good pressure.

3.  Pacquiao is always willing to trade.
4.  I parry, you parry.

5.  At first, Pacquiao missed a lot over the top.
6.  Umm, now where is that opening?

7.  More a poke than a punch but it stops him.
8.  Looking for me?

9.  Watching those hands.
10.  Pacquiao looks bemused.

11.  He's still missing but his speed is beginning to tell.
12.  An exchange.

13.  Pacquiao is pressing.
14.  Sometimes a little distance clears the mind of any befuddlement
about strategy.

15.  Both men working.
16.  Straight and hurtful.

17.  Valazquez is beginning to weaken.
18.  V misses but P lands.

19.  Both men land to side of head.
20.  The corner is a bad place to be.

21.  V is hurt.  Ref looks in.
22.  P on the attack.

23.  A little space gives P a chance to find that head.
24.  The end is near.

25.  Knockdown.
 The ref stopped the fight.  The round had ended and there was some controversey that maybe Valasquez should have had a minute between rounds to recover.  But the ref is closest to the fighter and it is his judgment call.


Erik Morales strugled with Zahir Raheem of Philadelphia, who outboxed, outspeeded, and landed the harder blows.


1.  Classic Morales look--that big right hand ready.
2.  Reaching for that elusive target.

3.  Raheem looks Morales over.
4.  Staying fairly close.

5.  Umm, this guy may be tougher than I thought.
6.  Nobody can say Morales didn't try.

7.  Follow through and Raheem is ready to get out.
8.  Both men miss.

9.  Morales is in place but not in position to punch.
10.  Maybe if I can find him down low then I can find him up high?

11.  Raheem carefully avoided those right hands.
12.  Raheem showed good concentration.  He had a game plan.

13.  Raheem fought when he had to.
14.  And covered up and was elusive when he had to.

15.  Raheem's speed created openings.
16.  Keeping Morales off with a left.

17.  Backing Morales up.
18.  Morales is having a hard time hitting Raheem, who's gloves are very, very far apart.

19.  Jab and move.
20.  More of the same.

21.  Almost Erik but not enough.
22.  Morales knew he needed a ko and those right hands did land more later in the fight.  But not enough.

23.  Over the top.
24.  Raheem keeps up the offense.