EST 1997 ST LOUIS MISSOURI			LIGHTS OUT VERSION 3.0

Fisticuffs Newslettter

Well…

            This past month has seen some surreal experiences, a few hardcore let-downs and some surprising highs. First, I have to express my disappointment in Erik Morales. “El Terrible” was worse than terrible against 135 pound journeyman Zahir Raheem last Saturday evening. Morales looked lethargic and discouraged throughout most of the “fight”, and even resorted to a few amateurish and embarrassing cheat tactics in later rounds.
            I have been watching Morales closely over that past five years, and I have made these observations:

            1. He is a punk who has no clue about sportsmanship and is a sore loser.
            2. Erik is edging out of the top 5 in three divisions he once owned.
            3. His corner never seems to have any sense of urgency.
            4. He does not have knockout power in heavier weight classes.
            5. His nose is always broken, and it is affecting his balance – sound weird? Watch

I simply can not believe that Manny Pacquiao’s camp is still giving Morales a chance to fight him again. I understand the whole vengeance concept, but why not take a fight against Raheem? Zahir seems like a good kid – heck he looks like a young Roy Jones. I would rather pay money to see Pacquiao test himself against a guy who has a heart than a washed –up light punching middlelightwhatever.

In other news, Shane Moseley is back - like I care. Shane was good at one time, and may have won ONE fight against De la Hoya, but he will never be champ in the welterweight division. Shane still has reflexes, but his power is gone. After watching Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah tear people apart, I fear for Moseley. Look, Shane can’t go up to middleweight anymore (no power and Winky Wright kicked his butt twice) and there is no way he can go down in weight because he is getting to old – and the kids in the flyweight division will run circles around him. Welterweight is his only option…and besides Judah and Mayweather he has to go through Ricky Hatton (made Kosta Tzu quit) and Miguel Cotto (a tad overrated). I wish Mosley luck, but won’t hold my breath. I think there is a place for him in the broadcast booth.
That brings me to my next topic, Roy Jones. I used to hate watching Roy fight. He never fought anyone of substance, and the guys that had a chance to beat him, humiliated him. …………………………….pardon me, I just remembered Prinzi’s face when Roy hit the canvas in the second round of the Tarver fight. Anyway, I am actually GLAD to see him return to the ring. For heaven’s sake, the light heavyweight division is about as much fun as an anal fissure (look it up – you won’t be disappointed). Bring back the excitement, the smack talking, and the arrogance. I am actually pulling for Roy to make the “Magic Man” vanish like Prince Naseem Hamed (look it up – you won’t be disappointed).
Finally,  I want to make a prediction about the Peter/Klitchko heavyweight fight this weekend at Larkin’s. Peter has the chin, the power, the youth and the bravado to knock Vladimir out early. I think it will happen within the first three rounds.
I am lining up a few interviews with some local fighters for the next month. Keep checking with the site, because Larkin will be updating frequently. By the way, the chili cook off was a HUGE success. While we didn’t win, we got our name out there – and raised some serious money for the Kidney Foundation.

Peace,

Patek