TONIGHT! Morales v. Pacquiao III, Viloria v. Nino II, Torres v. Arnaoutis

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 7:55 PM EST in Round-by-Round Comment 49 comments

We are LIVE tonight with round-by-round coverage and scoring of the Morales/Pacquiao III pay-per-view from the Thomas & Mack Center in Vegas, baby, Vegas. The event starts at 8:30 eastern.

11:30 PM EASTERN: PACQUIAO/MORALES III IS ON TAP

Results from the PPV thus far: Nino DRAW Viloria, Salgado UD Licona, Torres SD Arnaoutis

Tonight we have Manny Pacquiao taking on Erik Morales for the third time, Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria looking to avenge his only career loss against Omar Nino Romero, and undefeated Mike Arnaoutis against dangerous Ricardo Torres. It should be a super night of fights.

My picks: Pacquiao TKO-7 over Morales, Viloria decision over Romero, Torres TKO-10 over Arnaoutis.

Join us for the coverage, round-by-round scoring, and share your thoughts!

Added to the PPV card: Juan Carlos Salgado (15-0-1) v. Marcos Licona (24-8-1)

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Comments

Chagaev and Dimitrenko win in Germany

Chagaev beat John Ruiz in a split decision, and Dimitrenko predictably dominated Billy Zumbrun, winning by unanimous decision.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 8:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I predict...

That John Ruiz will cry about this decision, as per usual.

Seems like all his losses, except for Tua and Roy Jones, came by very close decision.

by Kevin Gonzalez on Nov 18, 2006 8:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino v. Viloria will start us off tonight

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round one

Nice little exciting first round. Viloria and Nino ar both throwing, but Viloria is the one pressing the action.

Viloria 10-9

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round two

Some really nice exchanges in here, Nino holding his own counter-punching against Viloria's aggressiveness, though Nino is slowing Viloria down pretty effectively at the moment.

Close round, but I'm giving it to Nino.

Nino 10-9
19-19

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round three

Low blow on Viloria, which Nino had come close to twice before. Joe Cortez warns Nino. Viloria would do well to re-up the pace. Nice short right and a big left from Viloria, who looks like he's gonna go for the kill. Nino ducks some shots from Viloria, Viloria gets stuck in the ropes. Nino is walking on thin ice with the low blows, Cortez missed another one.

Gotta give that the round to Viloria.

Viloria 10-9
Viloria 29-28

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round four

Nino with his fifth low blow, second that got caught. Nino seems to be looking for a liver shot. If Viloria lands one or two of these shots he's throwing that Nino keeps dodging, this could end in a hurry.

Trade of lefts, Nino's to the body, Viloria's a counter shot to the head. Nino has yet to really do anything substantial, but he's not quite getting outboxed. He's getting outpunched.

Viloria 10-9
Viloria 39-37

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey, it's Rey Misterio Jr. with Erik Morales

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round five

Nino's glove touches the canvas on a right with about a minute left, called a knockdown. Largely uneventful round otherwise. Viloria seems to be pulling away here, or at least he is on my card.

Viloria 10-8
Viloria 49-45

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round six

The pace has totally stabled off, with Viloria seemingly just waiting for an opening to really cut loose, and Nino trying to keep that tide from rising as long as he can do so. It's not doing Nino any favors really, but at least he isn't getting hit as much I suppose.

Crowd's starting to get restless as the pace has not stabled anymore, it has slowed to a crawl.

Tough to score since very little happened.

10-10 round
Viloria 59-55

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round seven

Nino is starting to throw, and it might be just in time, lulling Viloria into a false sense of security. Nino with a hard uppercut, more sharp shots. Viloria better wake up, he can definitely still lose this fight. And Viloria is waking up, shaking Nino up twice. Nino's throwing back. This is picking up again. Perfectly entertaining fight to start the night, and a damn good round in the seventh.

Nino has a small cut on the bridge of his nose.

Nino 10-9
Viloria 68-65

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round eight

Great trading about halfway into the round after a slow start. Pretty much a counter-punching round, but Nino probably won this round late. In fact, I say he did.

Nino 10-9
Viloria 77-75

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round nine

Nino has definitely gotten the fight to his style at this point and taken over control. This is gonna be an intersting decision if it goes to the cards, and it looks like it will.

Just like that, Viloria catches Nino with a big right, flooring him. Nino is fine, but that's a big knockdown for the scorecards.

Viloria 10-8
Viloria 87-83

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round ten

Crowd is standing and getting psyched and they're really starting to throw early in the tenth. Nino may think he has to knock Viloria out to retain his title, and I'd agree with that logic.

Round slows after the first minute or so, but I gotta give this one to Nino. He's been more competitive than the scores might say, but he's only hurt Viloria once, maybe twice.

Nino 10-9
Viloria 96-93

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Viloria with a small cut on the left eyebrow

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round eleven

Nino really needs to step it up, but he's winning this round. It's nothing to get excited over, and nothing that's going to help Nino win it.

Nino 10-9
Nino 105-103

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oops

Meant Viloria 105-103 obviously.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nino/Viloria round twelve

Viloria is straight up playing defense even though his corner seemed to try to get him to come out throwing. Nino just does not have the power to pull this out, and he's not staying busy enough. You'd like to see him go for broke.

Lampley is right on about Viloria: "He's more passive than his abilities should allow him to be."

10-10 draw
Viloria 115-113

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 9:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

CARDS FOR NINO/VILORIA

115-112 for Nino from Moretti
113-113 draw from Castellano and Conde

MAJORITY DRAW
NINO RETAINS HIS TITLE

I've seen worse decisions, but I don't get the 115-112 Nino card from Moretti.

To me, Nino may well have outboxed Viloria, but Hawaiian Punch won the fight on the two knockdowns.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado six rounder up next

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado round one

Lots of over the top rights from Salgado, who looks like he'll get a KO in short order if this keeps up, which is fine with me.

Salgado 10-9

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado round two

Boy, this is a bullshit fight. I don't like Salgado's trunks. His trunks are bullshit.

Licona, if he could fight, could make short work of Salgado, who has a long way to go before he becomes any sort of major fighter.

Licona bloodied Salgado's nose and I'd say he won this round.

Licona 10-9
19-19

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado round three

This is EX CI TIIIING.

That was my little joke.

Larry and Emmanuel think that Salgado is fighting for shit but winning anyway. I think he's fighting for shit and losing.

Licona 10-9
Licona 29-28

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Morales

Off-topic with the current fight, but Morales does not look healthy at all in the photo you included with this post, Scott.

by Matt Miller on Nov 18, 2006 10:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

yeah I thought the same

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Emmanuel just said "shot his wad"

TWICE.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado round four

Ehhhh.

Salgado 10-9
38-38

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado round five

Lampley is tired of this and is just making fun of Licona. Frankly I don't think Salgado has looked much better, but he is winning.

Salgado 10-9
Salgado 48-47

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Licona/Salgado round six

Emmanel thinks Salgado's right hand is hurt, which may be true.

This round sucked too.

Salgado 10-9
Salgado 58-56, might have cleanly swept on the official cards

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

CARDS FOR LICONA/SALGADO

SALGADO UNANIMOUS DECISION

Yeah I didn't pay attention to the scores really. Two of them were 59-54.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis up next

This could be the most exciting fight ever following that last one.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round one

Slow first half of the opening round with Arnaoutis playing defense. Torres is trying to work away, but it's just a feeling out process thus far. Very tentative, but Arnaoutis throws and misses a big left. One of the reasons I like Arnaoutis (and I like both of these guys) is that the back of his trunks say MIKE.

Not a lot going on yet, but I expect that to change in a couple of rounds.

10-10

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round two

Arnaoutis with a nice left right off the bat. Slow again. A little throwing ends with Arnaoutis landing a left to the body. Torres isn't landing much of anything so far. Arnaoutis with another body shot to close out the round.

Arnaoutis 10-9
Arnaoutis 20-19

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round three

Starting to open up a little with Arnaoutis leading the way. Torres doesn't look anything like the fighter that took on Cotto. Torres is looking to establish the straight right, but he's not there yet.

Neither guy is establishing a ton, but Arnaoutis is definitely the general so far.

Arnaoutis 10-9
Arnaoutis 30-28

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round four

Torres is starting to open his game up a little, and Arnaoutis isn't countering at all, just trying to play D. Torres wins this round on his dominance in the first half.

Torres 10-9
Arnaoutis 39-38

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round five

Torres is doing the same thing he did last round, rushing at Arnaoutis and taking control. Arnaoutis throws a wild left which Torres ducks. Nice left from Arnaoutis lands. Torres is working a lot of straight rights, but he's bringing the left in more than before. The crowd is growing very restless. This has been fought at a heavyweight pace.

Torres 10-9
48-48 through five

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 10:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round six

Lederman has Torres up 49-46.

Arnaoutis with a nice body shot, and he might be ready to trade a little more. Left hooks from Torres land, misses a third. Torres is starting to really land the left. Arnaoutis is getting sucked into Torres' fight as we near the halfway point. Nice left from Mighty Mike. Emmanuel may have just blocked himself saying from "shot his wad" again. "Shot his...best punches." Arnaoutis stuns Torres with a left, and we're mixing it up now with Arnaoutis changing his style and going more toe-to-toe. Arnaoutis takes this round.

Arnaoutis 10-9
Arnaoutis 58-57

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round seven

Arnaoutis looks like he might really be taking this fight over. He's a slicker boxer and he seems to be landing just as hard as Torres is.

Arnaoutis just FLOORD Torres with a gorgeous right hook. Torres up at 8, but he was drilled with that shot.

Arnaoutis has taken control.

Arnaoutis 10-8
Arnaoutis 68-65

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round eight

Arnaoutis looks very confident, and Torres, well, does not. Torres looks tentative and he's laying back, waiting. Arnaoutis lands a nice right to the head and a body shot. Torres is working on his right again. Torres lands a left hook on the button.

Torres made a nice little comeback in this round.

Torres 10-9
Arnaoutis 77-75

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round nine

Slower paced again in the ninth. Arnaoutis with a left, Torres is working but landing very little. Arnaoutis takes a big cut with a left into a clinch at the waist from Torres. Tough round to score for me, but I think Torres did juuust enough.

Torres 10-9
Arnaoutis 86-85

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round ten

I called Torres TKO in the 10th, so here's my prediction's do or die round.

Torres is charging and looking to land the big punch. Torres with a little left and a body shot. Arnaoutis is just peppering at him and moving around, at least not letting Torres push him around again. Torres is busier. Left hook from Torres. My prediction is not happening, but we're looking at an even fight through ten on my card.

Torres 10-9
95-95 through ten

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round eleven

Some quick trading in the first 30 seconds, Arnaoutis coming out a little ahead probably. Arnaoutis has a tendency to go UH OH HO HO when he throws combinations. Arnaoutis with a nice right hook that shakes Torres up a little bit. Myself and the HBO fellers seem to agree that if Arnaoutis would commit to anything, he could easily have won this fight. As it is it's going to be really close.

Arnaoutis 10-9
Arnaoutis 105-104

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Torres/Arnaoutis round twelve

Lederman has it 104-104 through eleven. This is a crucial round. "No shit," you might reply.

Arnaoutis is just not establishing anything, but Torres isn't doing much more. Arnaoutis with a couple of nice punches that land and probably put him ahead with a little over a minute left. Arnaoutis has taken control.

30 seconds to go, Torres might want to go for broke, and he might try. Arnaoutis is keeping him at bay with the right jab. Torres falls with 7 seconds to go, no knockdown.

Arnaoutis 10-9
Arnaoutis 115-113 on my card

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

CARDS FOR TORRES/ARNAOUTIS

Adalaide Byrd has it 116-111 for Torres
Harry Davis has it 114-113 Torres
Jerry Roth has it 114-113 for Arnaoutis

TORRES BY SPLIT DECISION
TORRES IS NEW WBO LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION

Close fight, could see a rematch out of this. Arnaoutis could have easily won this fight.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

WE ARE READY TO GO

Pacquiao/Morales three is up next. It's been a solid if unspectacular PPV so far, the main event makes or breaks the $50 worth of this.

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

UNDERCARD

I'm with you on Nino-Viloria. I thought Viloria won by a round, 7 to 5.

And I had Torres winning by one point against Arnaoutis too. 7 rounds to 5, minus the knockdown. Arnaoutis seemed to fall asleep after he knocked Torres down. And Torres didnt look like the same guy who fought Cotto.

I'm rooting for Erik in the main event.

With a half-Mexican, half-Filipino crowd, shouldn't it be expected that we hear a lot of booing during the national anthems?

by Kevin Gonzalez on Nov 18, 2006 11:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pacquiao/Morales round one

Pacman with a couple shots early, Morales hasn't really thrown yet. Morales comes with it. Crowd is RAUCOUS, as expected.

Morales is tentative and gets caught with a big right hook. Another. Pacquiao throws a hard left. Morales coming back with something to keep him honest. HERE WE GO. They are throwing, it's not terribly impressive so far, but the crowd response makes it so much more. Love this shit.

Nice right-left from Pacquiao to close it, and I give it to Manny.

Pacquiao 10-9

by SC on Nov 18, 2006 11:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pacquiao/Morales round two

Pacquiao is driving Morales right now. Morales, as you'd expect, won't back down. Morales bulls forward for a flurry. Again, nothing big is happening yet, but everything is hot.

Left jab and a right from Morales. Pacquiao counters back with a right, left, right hook. Morales staggers a little, and BAM. Morales knocked down and shaken up!

Fight continues. Morales doesn't look strong to me. They are definitely mixing it up. Pacquiao is controlling this, but HERE COMES MORALES. Huge brawling flurry from both to end the round. Hoo-wee, they are not disappointing.

Pacquiao 10-8
Pacquiao 20-17

by SC on Nov 19, 2006 12:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Pacquiao/Morales round three

Nice left from Manny at 2:10. Manny with a right, and they're firing again. And again. Everything you'd expect from these two so far.

Morales just ate a hard right hook, and Pacquiao is all over him.

Left hand from Pacquiao, MORALES IS DOWN AGAIN.

Morales up at eight, and we're gonna continue.

Manny is just swinging. He smells blood. Morales can't last with this.

MORALES COMES BACK

PACQUIAO COMES BACK

Pacquiao is just wildly brawling, and Erik is trying to survive.

Right, left, MORALES DOWN AGAIN.

Morales shakes his head and doesn't get up. It's over. Erik Morales was overmatched, overpowered, overwhelmed. He could not stand with Manny Pacquiao.

Wow.

by SC on Nov 19, 2006 12:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs