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07/02/2006 Archived Entry: "MANNY PACQUIAO TOO STRONG FOR COURAGEOUS LARIOS"
MANNY PACQUIAO TOO STRONG FOR COURAGEOUS LARIOS
- Chuck Hasson
Manny Pacquiao proved too big and strong for a determined Oscar Larios last night at a packed Araneta Coliseum. Larios opened the bout suprisingly carrying the fight to Pac-Man and edged the first round. The second round was more of the same but Manny did cop it with sharper punching. The third opened with Larios jumping on Pac with a series of hard lefts and rights that drove him to the ropes and hurting him with a big left hook. Pac weathered the storm by spinning out and exchanging big shots with Oscar, one opening a deep cut above Larios cheekbone under the left eye that would bother Oscar for the remainder of the match.
From that point on the size and strength of Manny were too much for Oscar to overcome although he always came back with gutty resistance when in distress.
In the seventh Pac dropped Larios in mid-ring with three solid shots as Oscar was charging in. He arose after a short count and continued with his gritty battle.
By the twelfth round Manny had an overwhelming lead and at times it looked like he was going to get rid of Larios but Oscar pushed on always trying to turn the tide. The final round was all Pac and he decked Oscar again with an accumulation of wicked, sharp punching. Larios sat down and got his bearings and arose to gut it out and Pac seemed to let up the last 25 seconds in order for the courageous Larios to last to the final bell.
The decision was unanimous and both winner and loser were very gracious when interviewed by Dave Bontempo who worked with Col. Bob Sheridan on the telecast.
Come-backing ex-champ Gerry Penalosa won a unaminous decision over Tomas Rojas in a blistering battle that got the evening (and the crowd) off to a raucous start. Penalosa's sharper straight punching was the difference but Rojas was constantly firing back with vicious onslaughts to try and turn the tide back in his favor.
The highlight of the evening to me was the intensity and noise level of the fans who packed the Coliseum. Obviously, every solid punch launched and landed by the Filipino fighters was wildly cheered by the fans. The place was eerily quiet when the Filipinos were under assault but the place broke into a deafening howl when the homeboys returned the fire and took the offensive.
All in all it was worth the $39.95 (plus tax) to view the Pacquiao phenomenon in his return home.
- Chuck Hasson
