Couldn’t resist last noche’s HBO double-dip "After
Dark" offering - and why not, the price was right.
First up, the taped Morales-Pacquiao event that I had passed on a week earlier.
Yes, the reports of those covering it live were unanimous and correct, in that
is was fistic fury from start to finis, without a single round used as a pit
stop for refueling.
Interesting however, how a back and forth battle of mind boggling exchanges,
could eventually result in a wish that the duel could someway, somehow convert a
stanza or two to something resembling the sweet science, opposed to a flat out
donnybrook.
To his credit, the courageous Pacquiao fought thru the agony and handicap of a
nasty cut eyebrow courtesy of an "inadvertent" head butt, not to mention
accepting proverbial tons of Morales’ major league right hands.
The Filipino southpaw couldn’t match the firepower of a bigger, stronger and
better balanced Morales, who appeared the far more disciplined. But the one
called Pac-Man never once stopped trying as he scored with frenzied flurries
coupled with the occasional stinging straight left hands.
Didn’t keep score since this one was already in the books … and have no quarrel
with the three judges 115-113 for the winning Erik Morales.
HBO hucksters quickly included a rematch in its post-fite commentary. But at 130
or 126 there’s a chock full of exciting potentials out there for both
gladiators.
Then the live bout … the Vargas-Joval middleweight ten rounder - with HBO
playing it up much like that "Contender" reality sitcom. The pre-fite Lamphead
interview with Vargas was a laugher - there’s our "Aztec Warrior" (yeah, right)
quivering at the mouth as he recalls growing up without a daddy … and then
steals a glance, for the camera, at his kids’ tattoo image on his shoulder. A
show of tears glistening for effect. Gimme a break … What next? Could well
be a future HBO show going the current "Contender" 5-round clips of ring action,
kissing, loving, kid hugging, "boxers are real people too angle" with some solid
X-rated bed shots as well.
Ok, enuf. As that past TV network sports anchor liked to shout it, "Let's go to
the ring action."
Opening stanza quickly shows Joval lacks any hint of punching power - no
surprise - is reason he was chosen for Fraudulent Fernando to quickly return to
the mix of serious assignments.
Round two sees Vargas score with serious double left-hook that rocks the visitor
from Rotterdam - but any illusions of an eye catching knockout win would not
materialize, as the 36 year old coupled a busy offense with a solid chin.
Problem for Joval is, while game and willing, his 2-fisted offerings were more
of the hired hand gym sparring variety than of anything threatening - thus, it
would be Vargas in a pick and choose, friendly ten round workout.
Scoring went unanimous for Vargas at 98-92, 96-94, 97-93 … my unofficial had it
97-93 in points and 7-3 in rounds for the returning Vargas.
Closing comments: No hint of who’s next for Vargas. Admits to some rust and
having used the Joval fight to try out some new things. A disappointed Larry
Merchant described the Vargas performance as more ice than the prior fire. As
for "Aztec" warrior, I want to first see the DNA report. No real warrior would
react as Vargas did when on the receiving end of a Joval low blow. Drops his
gloves to the protected area while howling and turning to referee Cortez for
help. Is quickly tagged by a right hand and fortunately the guy can’t punch, or
it could have been "good nite Irene" for the "Ferocious" one.
Finally this: Vargas carried too much weight and it showed … says he’ll give 154
a shot. Think that move is more feasible at this point in time.
