Manny Pacquiao may have just made a case for being pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world. On Saturday night live from Las Vegas, Nevada he annihilated Erik Morales (48-5) for almost 3 exciting rounds. In a rubber match, which had Fight of the Year written all over it, of this great rivalry, Pacquiao (42-3-2, 33 KO’s) showed the world why his speed, power, and fearless attitude makes him one of the best, if not the best, fighters on the planet. Pacquiao, who had the distraction of signing with Golden Boy Promotions while still under contract with Top Rank, maintained focus for eight minutes and fifty-seven seconds, which is all that it took to take down Morales.

From the Friday weight-in and up until the fight, Morales looked fatigued and ill from having to make the 130 pound weight limit. The same thing occurred in their second fight, ending the same way, with Morales being knocked out.

At the press conference, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach also noticed the fatigue, stating that he felt that making weight was too difficult on Morales. Regardless, the improved right hook of Pacquiao, and the already effective left hook, seemed too much for Morales.

In the second round, Morales had Pacquiao pressured with left-right combos that had Pacquiao moving backwards. In an instant, Pacquiao avoided a right hook, and came back quickly with a left hook of his own that put Morales on his knees. Morales got up quickly and continued to take some strong punches until the round finally ended.

In the third and final round, Pacquiao stayed aggressive, and Morales kept swinging away. With about a minute to go, Morales was knocked down again, and started to realize that tonight wasn’t his night. One last attempt at taking down Pacquiao failed, and Morales was knocked down once again with a left hook, that put him on his butt. This time he shook his head, ignored his corner (who was urging him to get up), and stayed down until the referee counted to 10. The Filipino fans, part of the 18, 276 fans who came out to the fight, began screaming and cheering for their hometown hero.

After the fight, Morales was uncertain about his future. After three straight losses, it may be time for this great Mexican warrior to hang his gloves. If he was to fight, he should look to become a lightweight at 135 pounds, because at 130 and 140 (he’d be too fatigued at 130 or get manhandled by Miguel Cotto at 140).

As for Pacquiao, he now earns a WBC Light Featherweight Title shot against champion Marco Antonio Barrera. It was three years ago this month that Pacquiao had his break out fight with Barrera, earning an 11th round TKO victory at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas. Barrera is apart of Golden Boy Promotions, a rival of Bob Arum and now Manny Pacquiao.