Sep 02 - HBO 11:15 pm
Erik Morales vs. Kevin Kelly
(Interim WBC featherweight championship)
Erik is one of the hottest featherweights in the world today. He has knocked down every obstacle placed in front of him and has always performed well. Erik's toughest match up to date was against another top flight featherweight Marco Antonio Berrara. Many argue the outcome of this tremendous fight, but none the less, Erik scraped by with the nod (as predicted). In the fight previous to that he out pointed and scored the decision to Wayne "The Pocket Rocket" McCullough last Oct (as predicted), and before that, stopped highly regarded Reynante Jamili in 6 Jul 99 (as predicted). Erik own wins over the best of the best in his decision. He has stopped Angel Chacon, Junior Jones and Daniel Zargoza. No matter who Erik is pitted against, he always performs like a champion.
Kevin is another former world champion nearly over the hill questing for another title. A story in boxing that is all to familiar. Kevin won the very belt he vies for tonight via a 12 round decision to Gregorio Vargas in Dec 93. He successfully defended the title 5 times, until losing it in Jan 97 to Alejandro Gonzalez in an 11th round stoppage. Since then, Kevin remains active. In his first title bid since losing his title, Kevin faced (not well known at the time and making his American debut) Naseem Hamed for the WBO belt in Dec 97. In a literal knock down drag 'em out fight, Kevin got KO'd in 4, but not before sending the Prince to the canvas 4 times. Since losing to Naz, Kevin has made six starts, losing twice. One of those loses was a 10 round decision to Derrick Gainer, a fighter he previously stopped in 8.
Does Kevin have a chance to stop the Morales Express? NOT!
Kevin will attempt to pressure Erik from the opening bell. Erik will have no problem with Kevin's porous defense, and will capitalize. The Flushing Flash will do rounds with El Terrible, but the age will show on the 33 year old Kelley. Speed is the key. Erik will nullify Kevin's speed with a relentless body attack, then stop Kelly convincingly inside the distance beyond the middle stanzas. Kevin has skill, but not the chin nor the will.
Morales inside 8

Diego Corrales vs. Angel Manfredy
(IBF jr lightweight championship)
Prior to bursting on the scene with the 7th round stoppage of Roberto Garcia, Diego was relatively unknown. Since winning that title, Diego has proven to be a true champion. Diego has uncanny explosive power and well tested chin. Since stopping Roberto and winning the title in Oct 99, Diego has successfully defended his title 3 times, 2 of which ended inside the distance. Diego stopped Derrick Gainer in 3 rounds last Mar, (a fight I expected him to lose, and a fight that was in my opinion prematurely stopped) and most recently, stopped heralded Justin Jukko in 10 this past Jun. Like Carlos Gonzales, Diego packes an amazing punch in such a thin frame. But unlike Carlos Gonzales, he has a chin to match his awesome firepower. Tonight Diego puts his title on the line against a ready Angel Manfredy.
Angel is always a determined and skilled boxer. For a time there, it seemed inevitable that Angel would get a title sooner or later. Hell, he's the only person to KO Arturo Gatti! In Dec 98 he stepped up against Floyd Mayweather Jr. to attempt to dethrone the WBC Super Featherweight champ. He was stopped in 2 rounds. In his second title bid he was out hustled and out pointed by the quick and elusive Stevie Johnston in Aug 99 (as predicted). In spite of that loss, Angel remains undaunted. Since last Feb, Angel has fought 5 times this year. In his last outing, he stopped unknown Agustine Lorenzo in 1 round this past June.
When faced with heavy handed opposition, Angel freezes and loses focus. Speed beat him in the Mayweather fight. Speed beat him in the Johnston fight. Speed and power will beat him tonight. Angel will try to get Diego's respect early, but Diego's accurate counter punching, lead right hands and granite chin will have him walking through Angel early. Expect a stand up slug fest for as long as it lasts. Watch Angel fall.
Corrales inside 6

In Retrospect:

Erik Morales vs. Kevin Kelly  - Morales KO IN 7*
As expected. Speed in this fight WAS the key, but Erik didn't bang the body nearly as much as I expected. From the opening bell, Erik was in control. When he had Kevin on the ropes, he did drop big bombs to Kevin's body. Kevin did land some shots. He landed some straight over hand lefts to the chin of Erik, who walked right through them. Remember, Kevin is not without power himself, even though his big shots that landed seemed to do no damage. This is just further testimony to the chin of Erik. In round 5, Erik dropped Kevin with a straight right to the body followed by a left hook to the head. Kevin beat the count easily, and was up for more. Then mid way through round 7, a flurry of combinations had Kevin down again. Kevin beat the count, and was in front of Erik again. Then Erik unleashed another flurry of unanswered combinations at which point the ref stopped the fight against an arguing Kelly. In my opinion, this was a good stoppage. Continuing this fight would of only did more long lasting damage to Kevin. I have to give a big shout out to Kevin. He stood toe to toe with one of the biggest bangers in the featherweight division and traded bombs!
In the end Kevin admitted that his body isn't what it used to be. I think he's going to hang it up, as he should, and rest on his laurels. Kevin proved me wrong on the will thing. Great effort Kevin!

Diego Corrales vs. Angel Manfredy  - Corrales KO IN 3*
As expected. Diego did exactly as I figured and just out muscled the smaller born again Angel. Angel couldn't deal with the reach and shear power of Diego. Halfway through round 1 Diego drops a short compact left hook and Angels on the canvas. This was to set the tone for the rest of the fight. Diego pounded Angel from pillar to post for the next 2 rounds, then in round 3, a big right hand put Angel on the back of his lap again. By now, it was obvious the end was near. Angel got up, no legs under him, and Diego goes to work landing big shots at will. Angel was nearly defenseless when the ref stopped the fight. Diego now looks for a unification bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. That's if he gets past his legal problems with busting up his 98 pound wife. I'll keep an eye on Diego.

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