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LAS VEGAS — Top Rank head Bob Arum will assume the cost of all legal expenses and provide a private lawyer for Manny Pacquiao in the event the fighter is sued by Golden Boy Promotions for renouncing a contract he previously signed with Oscar de la Hoya.

That’s the word from Rex (Wakee) Salud who told The STAR the other day the decision to junk Golden Boy for Top Rank was in Pacquiao’s best interests.

Salud, who is one of Pacquiao’s closest advisers, found himself out of the loop when on the night the fighter arrived in Los Angeles from Manila last September, de la Hoya put a total of $500,000 in cash on the table as bait to sign a seven-fight deal.

Salud said Pacquiao, lawyer Jing Gacal and trainer Freddie Roach mysteriously disappeared during a late dinner at Denny’s shortly after arriving from Manila. It turned out that de la Hoya and Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez met secretly with Pacquiao, Gacal and Roach — without Salud — at a nearby steakhouse.

When news leaked out that Pacquiao had come to terms with de la Hoya, Arum cried foul. He said there is a specific clause in Pacquiao’s contract with Top Rank prohibiting him from signing any fight contract until after the rubber match against Erik Morales. The implication was because of the clause, the contract that Pacquiao signed with Golden Boy was invalid.

The day before Pacquiao faced Morales, Arum sent a letter to de la Hoya, informing him of the renouncement, and returned the $500,000 that was previously given. The $500,000 was broken down into a signing bonus of $350,000 and an advance of $150,000.

It was not certain if Golden Boy would sue Arum or Pacquiao who is in the middle of a bitter war between the rival promoters.

Pacquiao’s manager Shelly Finkel said the conflict may result in a protracted legal battle but is optimistic he can get the Filipino out of the entanglement.

Finkel’s contract to manage Pacquiao expires on Jan. 31 next year but he is offering to remain in the team under the fighter’s terms.

Finkel entered Pacquiao’s world through Roach after the sidelining of previous manager Marty Elorde, business manager Rod Nazario and promoter Murad Muhammad early last year. With over 20 years of experience managing a slew of high-profile fighters, Finkel negotiated Pacquiao’s break from Muhammad, made sure the Filipino would not be at a disadvantage in the Morales rematch (particularly in choosing gloves) and built in penalty clauses in the contract for the third Morales fight in case of failure to make the weight.

From being out of the loop, Salud has bounced back with a vengeance.

Salud said he met with Arum and other Top Rank executives to iron out a new four-year deal that was announced after the knockout over Morales in a press conference.

"For about 12 days, I did nothing but work out this new contract," said Salud. "This is the best thing that could have happened to Manny. He’s very happy with this contract and Top Rank is committed to provide all-out support for Manny."

Salud said he’s not at liberty to disclose the terms of the contract but mentioned it stipulates six bouts each year — two for Pacquiao and four for other Filipino fighters.

"It’s a contract that’s good not only for Manny but for other Filipino fighters who could be the next Pacquiao," said Salud.

Another key stipulation is Pacquiao will be awarded full Philippine TV rights for his fights without Top Rank sharing in the fees.

After de la Hoya signed Pacquiao to a contract, he said there would be no legal impediment to executing the agreement and even dared Arum to bring a case to court. De la Hoya promised to be in Pacquiao’s corner for the Morales fight. But when the bell rang last Saturday, the Golden Boy was nowhere around. He was told of the renouncement the day before.

Pacquiao declined to comment on the legal implications of renouncing the Golden Boy contract and signing a new four-year deal with Top Rank.

Kevin Iole of the Las Vegas Review-Journal said "legal complications might result" from the renouncement but Arum said Pacquiao has nothing to worry about because he’s on top of the situation.

Salud said Pacquiao made the right choice in electing to stay with Arum instead of joining de la Hoya who manages Marco Antonio Barrera — the World Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion tipped to face the Filipino in a big money fight next year.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200611231601.htm

November 22, 2006

Pacquiao manager wants Barrera next

By Francis Ochoa

Inquirer

Last updated 01:30am (Mla time) 11/22/2006

Published on Page A29 of the November 22, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LAS VEGAS -- It may not be the fight on the horizon right now, but Manny Pacquiao’s manager, Shelly Finkel, believes that the next step for the Filipino ring sensation should be Marco Antonio Barrera.

“It’s the best fight for [Pacquiao] right now,” said Finkel, reacting to reports that a fight with WBC super featherweight champion Barrera is far from the picture.

Top Rank Promotions, which recently won the tug-of-war to promote Pacquiao, is not too keen on the fight and plans another bout in Macau against a still unnamed opponent.

“This [barrera tiff] is the fight that can bring in the money for Manny,” said Finkel.

Barrera, part of the trinity of Mexican boxing gods that Pacquiao had all sent to the canvas, is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions

The outfit had tried to lure Pacquiao away from the Bob Arum-headed Top Rank, which promotes Pacquiao’s fights.

Top Rank has hinted that the Macau bout could be against Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero.

Finkel said there are a lot of creases to be ironed before a Barrera match can be worked out. On top of that list is the impending lawsuit Golden Boy is set to file against Top Rank anytime this week.

“There’s going to be a lawsuit for sure and it’s sad because Manny doesn’t need these kind of things at a time when he should be on top of the world,” Finkel said.

A source said Golden Boy has an air-tight case against Top Rank because it holds a contract signed by Pacquiao. Golden Boy signed Pacquiao to a seven-fight deal last September when Pacquiao arrived in Los Angeles to train for his Grand Finale bout against Erik Morales.

Pacquiao won that fight last Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Thomas & Mack Arena, sending the Mexican sensation known as “El Terrible” thrice to the canvas, the last at the 2:57 mark of the third round that ended the fight.

After the match, Arum announced that Top Rank was keeping Pacquiao after the two parties agreed to a four-year deal.

Valero who?

On paper, Venezuelan Edwin Valero is the world’s strongest puncher in his class. He knocked out his first 18 opponents in the first round, surpassing the previous best of 15 consecutive first-round KOs posted by Young Otto.

Mexican Genaro Trazancos ended Valero’s streak by surviving until the second round last March.

Valero won the WBA super featherweight title by besting Panamanian Vicente Mosquera via a 10th round TKO. This he did after surviving a third-round knockdown. In January 2004, Valero failed a brain scan in New York and was banned from fighting in the United States. The abnormalities detected are a result of head injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident in 2001.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=34004

November 21, 2006

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November 20, 2006

Macau next stop for Pacquiao

By Abac Cordero

The Philippine Star 11/21/2006

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao’s next fight could come as early as March or April next year.

Not against Marco Antonio Barrera, but someone else. Not here in the United States, but in Macau.

A Team Pacquiao insider said Sunday that things are pointing that way especially after Bob Arum announced a four-year tie-up between Top Rank and Manny Pacquiao Promotions.

In Macau, Pacquiao will fight at the newly built Wynn Hotel.

Pacquiao destroyed Erik Morales inside three rounds Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Center, and soon after people have started asking when his next fight would be.

Of course, most of them are looking forward to a big title bout between Pacquiao and Barrera, the reigning World Boxing Council champion in the 130-lb division.

Barrera has called on Pacquiao’s name as his next challenger. In fact, he has set a date for the rematch — March 11. Barrera was knocked down by Pacquiao in 11 rounds in 2003.

But Pacquiao hooking up with Top Rank may have shelved that promotion, despite the fact that the WBC has recently ordered the winner between Pacquiao and Morales to face Barrera.

If Pacquiao refuses, he can be stripped of his International super-featherweight title.

And he wouldn’t mind.

Barrera is being promoted by Oscar dela Hoya who doesn’t have an open line with Arum. They figured in a tug-of-war for Pacquiao, and the older, wiser Arum has won the battle.

"I think Manny’s gonna have two fights (probably against Erwin Valero or Joan Guzman) and then if Barrera’s still around then maybe we can go after him," said one of Pacquiao’s connections here.

Barrera, this early, is reportedly asking for a purse of $3 million.

"I don’t think he’s gonna get that yet," the insider said.

But in an interview with Boxingtalk.com the day after the victory, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach hinted that Barrera is next in line for the Filipino icon.

"That’s the fight (against Barrera) everybody wants to see. He wants to fight us, we want to fight them," said Roach.

He added: "That’s the natural next fight. I would like to give Barrera his shot, he has the belts and we want his belts."

Meanwhile, Guzman, the undefeated WBO (World Boxing Organization) junior lightweight champion, has offered to fight the Gen. Santos southpaw in March 2007.

In an open letter to Pacquiao, Guzman congratulated the 27-year-old Filipino champion for his emphatic victory over Morales, describing it as magnificent, stupendous and flawless then invited the celebrated fighter to a duel early next year.

"I have a title defense in my homeland in Dominican Republic on Dec. 18. Should I be successful in that bout, I have asked my team to work on the Guzman-Pacquiao fight in March 2007," said Guzman.

"There can be no doubt that you and I are the world’s best two fighters at 130 lbs. The question that must be answered is who is the better man. It’s a super fight and a fight fan’s dream," he added.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200611211601.htm

November 19, 2006

Pacquiao destroys Morales in 3

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao finished this trilogy with the flair befitting a movie star, knocking down Erik Morales three times on the way to a third-round knockout victory Saturday night in the super featherweights’ third meeting in 20 months.

Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KOs), the Filipino phenomenon known for his excesses of punching power and courage, might have knocked Mexico’s Morales (48-5) into retirement in a fight that was every bit as thrilling as their first two meetings – even if it didn’t last nearly as long.

Both fighters came out with heedless aggression, and Pacquiao first knocked Morales down against the ropes late in the second round. Morales kept returning shots, but couldn’t keep up with Pacquiao’s pace – and after a knockdown midway through the third, Pacquiao finished him with a devastating left hook with just 3 seconds left.

"He was coming to me, and he was not able to handle me," Pacquiao said. "I felt so much stronger than him. I was prepared to fight the best of Morales."

Morales sat up after the final blows, but disconsolately shook his head at his trainer-father, Jose, in his corner – and Pacquiao celebrated another dynamic victory over the only man to beat him since 1999. Afterward, Morales acknowledged he might be finished after 52 brutal fights, including four losses in his last five.

"For the first time in my career, I actually felt the power of an opponent like I’ve never felt it before," said Morales, who also lost two of three fights in his previous trilogy against Marco Antonio Barrera.

"I was hurt by the power of his punches, and maybe it’s time to think about not doing this anymore. I had a great career. Maybe it is time."

Thousands of Filipino fans at the sold-out Thomas and Mack Center chanted Pacquiao’s name, worshipping their native megastar of film, music and endorsements – and don’t forget boxing, where he belongs among the world’s top handful of pound-for-pound fighters.

The fighters split their first two meetings in the previous two years, with Morales winning a unanimous decision and Pacquiao replying with a TKO victory over "El Terrible" last March.

Their rivalry became one of boxing’s better trilogies in recent years, with both punch-addicted brawlers dazzling casual fans and building rabid followings in their native lands.

Pacquiao opened the third fight with a blistering series of combinations, and he only slowed down when Morales replied with tenacious jabs. But Pacquiao’s momentum was overwhelming, and he had no shortage of ways to hurt his old foe.

"I was faster and bigger than him," Pacquiao said. "I could tell in the second round he was surprised by my right hook."

Pacquiao threw 175 punches in those 9 minutes, landing 54 percent – including 51 of his 71 power shots in the third round alone.

Morales landed just 26 percent of his punches.

"He was too fast and too strong," said Morales, who sat speechless in his corner for 5 minutes afterward. "I did everything in camp necessary to win this fight. I didn’t win it. It wasn’t my night."

Though both fighters have only middling profiles in the United States, each of their three pairings has been an international incident.

Television sets from Manila to Mexico City were tuned in to the pay-per-view telecast of a fight pitting perhaps the Philippines’ most famous person against one of the toughest fighters in Mexico’s long line of famed brawlers.

Thousands of Filipino fans traveled halfway across the world to Las Vegas for the fight, while thousands more came up from Mexico and Southern California to support Morales. The crowd of 18,276 was the second biggest in the arena’s history – and a measure of the fighters’ love in this fight-crazy town, where several closed-circuit broadcasts were opened as well.

Morales won their first bout in March 2005, stunning and bloodying Pacquiao – but Pacquiao battered Morales repeatedly last January, bruising his face and body before dropping him twice in the 10th round for the first TKO loss of Morales’ career.

Pacquiao, who gained 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms) after making weight Friday at 129 pounds (58.5 kilograms), was guaranteed million for the match. Morales will get at least .75 million (euro2.15 million).

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006112080172.html

Brewing tug-of-war over Pacquiao

Arum bares new 4-year pact

By Francis Ochoa

Inquirer

Last updated 01:34am (Mla time) 11/20/2006

Published on page A33 of the November 20, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

LAS VEGAS -- Going by Bob Arum’s version of it all, Manny Pacquiao was not exactly himself when he signed the contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s promotional outfit.

So he was more than willing to forget the little episode after Arum’s Top Rank announced Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center that it had won the rights to promote the Filipino ring icon for the next four years.

“Top Rank promotions is pleased to announce that Top Rank and MP Promotions has signed a contract to promote Manny Pacquiao’s fights for the next four years,” Arum told journalists during the post-fight conference after Pacquiao knocked out Erik Morales to win the final chapter of their compelling rivalry.

The announcement, which caught everyone flat-footed, trumps the seven-fight contract Pacquiao reportedly had inked with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions when the General Santos City native arrived in the United States last September to train for the Morales bout.

De La Hoya claimed to have shelled out $500,000 as some sort of a signing bonus for Pacquiao. The Pacquiao camp had issued a check of that same amount as a refund to Golden Boy.

Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Productions, however, reportedly refused to accept the check.

“The original contract for this fight between Manny Pacquiao and Top Rank prevented Manny from signing a contract with other promoters,” Arum said.

Pacquiao, though, signed a contract with De La Hoya’s company without Arum’s knowledge, and when news of the partnership broke, Arum went livid.

But the veteran promoter showed supreme confidence in the run-up to the fight and was quoted as saying that Pacquiao’s next bout would be under Top Rank.

Pacquiao refused to comment on the contract controversy, saying he wants to “just spend time with my family and countrymen and celebrate my victory.”

But Arum disclosed how the deal was signed.

“He got off the plane when he got to the US and he signed another contract with another promotion and received money [for signing],” said Arum.

“He has since renounced that signing and returned the money.”

The announcement came as a huge surprise in the boxing community, which had consigned itself to the notion that Pacquiao would be a Golden Boy fighter after the Morales fight.

In fact, talk was rife about a rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera in March next year. Barrera belongs to the Golden Boy stable.

With the latest development, the Barrera rematch is expected to be placed in the freezer in the meantime.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=33619

November 18, 2006

Day of reckoning

Pacquaio fights Morales for third time

By NICK GIONGCO

LAS VEGAS — Despite his many triumphs, Manny Pacquiao is still seen by some individuals in the sport of boxing as being one-dimensional.

Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila), Pacquiao gets the chance not only to prove them all wrong but to give credence to men who would someday mention his name in the same breath as those of the fight game’s all-time greats.

Pacquiao clashes for the third time with Erik Morales before a sellout crowd of 17,000 fans at the Thomas and Mack Center and more than 14,000 miles away in his homeland of the Philippines, traffic is going to stand still, morning church-goers will opt to attend the afternoon service and the crime rate in the hours the fight is being shown on TV should register a zero incidence.

While the atmosphere in Sin City would remain lively and upbeat as during other weekends, the arena where Pacquiao and Morales will slug it out will be rocked to its foundations as they both promised to put on show that ringsiders believe the two could give.

"This is it. Heto na ang pinakahihintay natin," said Pacquiao three hours after weighing-in officially at 129 lbs.

"Suntukan na," said Pacquiao, looking very calm and confident the scheduled 12-rounder will go his way.

"Para magka-alaman na kung totoo yung sinasabi niya (Morales)," said the 27-year-old southpaw.

Pacquiao was obviously referring to Morales’ claims that the reason why he lost by 10th round knockout last January was that he did not train properly and he was more exhausted than stung by Pacquiao’s punches.

Morales, however, did not look like someone who was slated to go to war in 24 hours as he showed up during the weigh-in as if he had gone on a hunger strike. To get down to such level, Morales had to undergo a weight reduction program at the Velocity Sports Performance in Los Angeles.

The 30-year-old Tijuana native, who had previously won world titles in three weight categories, including the 130-lb category, also tipped in at 129 lbs, which surprised a lot of jaded observers of the sport.

Unlike in the rematch, Morales did not even have to take off his underwear when he stepped on the scales as he was wearing a light-colored boxer shorts.

When it was declared that he had made it, Morales pointed to his flexed right arm to signal that he was A-Okay, sending the pro-Morales gallery into a frenzy which gathered at the Cox Concourse inside the UNLV campus.

Pacquiao was actually roundly booed when he surfaced wearing a jacket, jogging pants and sandals and shortly after weighing in, he flexed his muscles as he had done in previous weigh-ins to the delight of his fans who were bunched together with their Mexican counterparts.

When Pacquiao and Morales were told to pose beside each other, the two did not shake hands and did not even bother to look at each other as though the slight glance would prompt one of them to strike.

——————

NOTES: Manny Pacquiao ate beef nilaga, chicken, rice and fruits after the weighin. He was scheduled to eat another meal just before hitting the sack and should be around 140 lbs when he gets up the ring… In a rarity, Pacquiao requested that autograph-signing be halted momentarily so he could relax his hands. Inside his room, people came in holding boxing memorabilia and other stuff... Vic Drakulich will be the third man on the ring while the three judges are Glenn Towbridge, Duane Ford and Guido Cavlieri. The fight supervisors are Rex Walker and Robert Lenhardt… Brian Viloria will try to regain his WBC light-flyweight title against Omar Nino Romero in the undercard. Two other Filipinos are seeing action. They are super-bantamweights Ernel Fontanilla and Bernabe Concepcion.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006111980132.html

November 17, 2006

Last Chapter of Trilogy: Pacquiao, Morales in top shape, see victory

By Abac Cordero

The Philippine Star 11/18/2006

LAS VEGAS – Without really trying, Erik Morales threw his weight around Thursday’s press conference.

At the packed Cox Concourse of the Thomas and Mack Center here, the crafty Mexican boxer simply refused to let a weighty issue die down.

"Three months ago a lot of people didn’t believe that I’d make the weight, especially Freddie Roach (Manny Pacquiao’s trainer). All he kept talking about was my weight, my weight, my weight," he said through Top Rank’s Ricardo Jimenez.

Roach, who’s gotten into a word war with Morales in the months, weeks and days leading to this fight, sat just a few chairs from Morales. He rubbed his neck as the Mexican spoke.

"So, I think it’s easier to talk than to act," added Morales.

His left hand motioning toward Roach, Morales reminded everybody present that Bobby Pacquiao, younger brother of Manny and another Roach protégé, failed to make the weight Wednesday for a fight against another Mexican, Hector Velasquez.

"Yesterday one of his fighters failed to make the weight," said Morales, adding that Roach, instead of thinking about his (Morales’) weight, should think of the weight of his boxers.

Then Morales, before turning over the microphone to Bob Arum, declared that he’s going to win his bout against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday (Sunday noon in Manila) at the Thomas and Mack Center.

"I’m going to win on Saturday. And there are two reasons why. First, it’s for the people who want me to win, and second, it’s for the people who don’t want me to win," he said.

Pacquiao, from his chair, briefly stared at Morales then faced the audience.

"There’s been a lot of speculation about his weight. Now there’s no more speculation. He’s right here. He’s in great shape and on Saturday he’s going to win the fight," said Fernando Beltran, Morales’ manager.

A few ticks later, it was Pacquiao’s turn to speak.

He was at his usual self - cool, calm and collected.

"I’m not the type of boxer who would say anything bad about my opponent. Erik Morales is in good condition and I know he will make the weight. I just want to have a good fight and make people happy," said Pacquiao.

The Filipino ring icon remained the solid favorite, going -270 that a $270 bet for Pacquiao would only win a hundred bucks. Morales is at +230, a $100 wager winning $230.

The official weigh-in is scheduled Friday at the same Thomas and Mack Center. The weight issue will have to come to an end the moment the two boxers are weighed.

Morales, reportedly at 165 four months ago, agreed to a fight contract that he’d pay Pacquiao $500,000 for every excess pound. Thin but not haggard, he looked even more dangerous each time he smiled during the press conference.

"I agree that it’s not about the weight but the heart.

And I agree that Erik Morales will be at his best. But it won’t be enough," said Pacquiao’s manager, Shelly Finkel.

Roach just spoke for a minute.

"I don’t have much to say except that Manny has been in the best training camp of his career and he’s in the best shape of his life," he said.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/news200611181601.htm

November 15, 2006

Pacquiao by KO — Roach

By Nick Giongco

LAS VEGAS — As long as Erik Morales is trading blows with Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night, trainer Freddie Roach won’t be able to sit back and relax.

Roach expressed the belief on Tuesday that Morales will come out of his corner smoking and unmindful of the dangers that a heated exchange opposite a heavy hitter poses.

"I believe that Morales will come out really strong. We just have to be prepared for the early onslaught and if we can do that, the fight’s going to be over (for Morales)," Roach said after presiding over Pacquiao’s third-to-the-last workout at the oven-hot IBA Gym.

"When he starts to fade away, it’s over," said Roach, who has been calling the shots in the Filipino’s corner since mid-2001.

Told about the possibility of the fight ending early, Roach almost ruled it out, saying he sees the bout ending in the "ninth, tenth or eleventh round" although he made it clear he doesn’t think it will go to the scorecards.

"I don’t see this going the distance. Down the stretch around the ninth, tenth or eleventh round, we are going to knock him out. It will all boil down to who is the freshest down the stretch. And I really believe it is my guy," said Roach, his white shirt drenched in sweat after enduring the pounding that he took during the five-round session with the mitts.

What made Roach think that Morales will go for a knockout early was the decision to wear the Cleto Reyes gloves, preferred by punchers, and not the Japan-made Winning, which is noted for its heavy padding in the knuckle area.

"He ordered Reyes gloves and this time if he is wearing them, it means he is not concerned hurting his hand so much. He is concerned about an early knockout and if he breaks his hand, he breaks his hand. But I think the gloves will be an indication that he will be starting quickly," added Roach.

It is also being considered that Morales — even if he makes the super-featherweight limit of 130 lbs on Friday — will be weakened by the difficulties getting his weight down after starting training camp bloated.

Pacquiao was not vocal about the way the fight’s going to end but he assured his fans and countrymen back home that he will not let them down.

"This is for the honor of my country," Pacquiao told US media outlets following the two-hour workout.

Meanwhile, Morales will hold his own workout for the media on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Top Rank Gym. He arrived here on board a private plane from Mexico late Monday night.

A press conference at the Cox Concourse inside the UNLV campus is booked for Thursday noon.

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006111679835.html

November 14, 2006

Fight odds make Manny uneasy

By Abac Cordero

The Philippine Star 11/15/2006

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao isn’t too happy being tagged as the overwhelming favorite.

Or at least, that’s the way he sounded.

"Sobra naman ang tiwala nila sa akin (They’re putting too much trust on me)," said Pacquiao Monday, the day the odds on his upcoming fight against Erik Morales continued to soar to his favor.

From -210 Sunday evening, Pacquiao is now -220 at Sports Book, the official and state-of-the-art betting station in this luminous city of 24-hour parties and non-stop entertainment.

It means that a straight bet of $220 on a Pacquiao win would win just $100. On the other side, Morales is at +190 in that a $100 bet would net $190, a dividend as handsome as the Mexican fighter.

When the Sports Book betting opened a few days back, the 27-year-old Pacquiao was already the clear favorite. He was -185 while the 30-year-old Morales was at +165.

There are a more than dozen betting propositions for the 12-round fight scheduled Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Center. It’s the third and decisive fight between the two.

Sports fans can also place bets that the fight will go 12 rounds (-155) or that it won’t go 12 rounds (+135). With only five days before the fight, there are more who believe that the fight would last the distance.

People can also bet on Morales winning by decision (5/2) or knockout (4/1), Pacquiao by decision (7/5) or knockout (2/1), and if the fight would end up in a draw where the odds are biggest at 12/1.

Then there’s the round-by-round proposition with either Morales or Pacquiao winning via knockout in the first round, all the way to the second, third, fourth, fifth and so on.

The odds of Morales winning by KO in the first three rounds are 25/1 and for Pacquiao it’s 20/1 under the same scenario.

Pacquiao, who also played the role of the favorite in his first two meetings with Morales, said it doesn’t really matter what the oddsmakers say before the fight.

"Papel lang kasi ito eh (This is just a piece of paper)," said Pacquiao as he held the latest print-out of the Sports Book betting guide for Saturday’s blockbuster fight.

He said everything becomes even the moment the fighters climb the ring.

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200611151603.htm

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