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Manny ends LA camp, motors to Vegas
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 11/13/2006
LOS ANGELES — A heavy workout at the Wild Card Gym and a sing-along party at a nearby Thai restaurant highlighted Manny Pacquiao’s last day of training here in this cold City of Angels.
Pacquiao and his entourage of around 30 persons will travel four hours and 300 miles Sunday (Monday in Manila) to Las Vegas, the site of the highly-awaited fight against Mexico’s Erik Morales.
The 27-year-old Filipino boxer will hear morning mass at Christ the King Church in Hollywood area before taking off for Vegas where the weather has dipped to under 10 degrees over the last couple of days.
Pacquiao has been in LA for almost two months now and has practically spent each day running like wild in the morning and working it out at the Hollywood gym owned by his trainer Freddie Roach.
Saturday’s workout at the expanded gym also served as Pacquiao’s last day of sparring against taller and heavier Mexican fighters David Rodela and Jorge Padilla.
Before dozens of fans, Pacquiao had three rounds with Padilla and two with Rodela. Heavy punches were thrown both ways with Pacquiao, at times, allowing himself to get beat.
"You’re taking too much Manny," someone from among the crowd shouted as Pacquiao was pinned by Padilla on the ropes, and took heavy punches to the body.
But Pacquiao simply laughed it off as he headed back to his corner.
In the third round, he poured it out against Padilla, unleashing several flurries that often hit their mark and sent the 5-foot-9 Mexican reeling until trainer Buboy Fernandez called "time."
The crowd clapped with approval as the session ended.
Overall, Pacquiao had around 150 rounds of sparring, probably the most he’s had in recent fights. He will no longer spar in the final week heading to the match and will simply go through the motions.
"We really doubled our efforts in training for this fight. That’s why I feel so fine. This is the hardest training I’ve ever had. I’m ready. So, Let’s get it on," said Pacquiao.
The 27-year-old boxer took a while before emerging from the dressing room, and leaving the gym, but needed two hours to get out of the Nat’s Thai Food, his favorite place for lunch.
After filling himself with grilled pink salmon, vegetable and rice with friends and team members, Pacquiao turned on the music. He played the guitar and sang his favorite tunes with his composer Lito Camo.
There was no stopping Pacquiao who simply had a very good time. He looked so relax performing at the small restaurant that was later packed by Filipino fans based here in LA.
Pacquiao left the restaurant shortly after 4 p.m., boarding his two-seater, top-down Mercedes SL 550 with Demi Dizon, a very close friend from Manila.
Pacquiao was smiling as he drove off. Cool and confident.
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Pacman can’t wait to fight Morales
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 11/12/2006
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao worked just as hard in the absence of his chief trainer Freddie Roach Friday, and shortly after said he couldn’t wait to fight Erik Morales, beat the Mexican, and fly back home.
"Sana nga laban na para makauwi na pagkatapos (I hope it’s fight time so I can go home after that)," Pacquiao said after his regular two-hour workout at the Wild Card Boxing Gym.
"Gusto ko na ipatikim sa kanya itong right hook ko (I’m so eager to make him taste my right hook)," added the 27-year-old Pacquiao who knocked Morales out in the 10th round last January.
The victory evened up matters between the two great fighters at one apiece, leading to this third fight on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas. Morales beat Pacquiao on points in their first meeting in March last year.
Roach was out of town attending a fight by one of his boxers. It was the first time in almost two months that Pacquiao worked out at the gym without the celebrated trainer by his side.
Filipino trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nono Neri took over the training session that was held with only a handful people allowed in the gym.
Fernandez, a childhood friend of Pacquiao’s, joined the boxer on the ring for three hard rounds with the mitts, and at times it seemed that he couldn’t keep up with the energetic boxer.
"Ano, pagod ka na? (Are you getting tired?)," Pacquiao would say after a flurry of punches that would almost knock the mitts out of Fernandez’ hands.
Fernandez later on admitted that he had a very difficult time handling Pacquiao’s on the ring.
"Grabe sumuntok. Sobra ang lakas ng right hook ni Manny (He punches to hard. His right hook is so powerful)," said Fernandez as he stepped out of the ring.
Against Pacquiao, Fernandez believes that Morales will have a terrible time on top ring at the Thomas and Mack Center,
"Mahihirapan talaga si Erik. Kahit tumakbo siya (Even if Erik runs, he’ll have a hard time," added Fernandez.
Roach will be back in LA when Pacquiao holds his final day of sparring Saturday. The following day, after a morning mass at Christ the King, comes the four-hour, 300-mile trip to Las Vegas.
Morales will be in Vegas on Monday.
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In-form Pacquiao impresses fans
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 11/11/2006
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao made no secret about his readiness to face Erik Morales when he staged a public workout Thursday at the Wild Card Gym here in Hollywood.
While Morales remains secluded up in the Otomi mountains of Mexico, Pacquiao held a heavy two-hour workout before a few dozen members of the press and some fans shortly after noon.
The next time Pacquiao opens the door to his training will be on Monday at the IBA Gym in Las Vegas. Morales is scheduled to hold his first and only press workout the following day at the nearby Top Rank Gym.
"I’m ready to fight and I’m excited. This is going to be a good fight. I’ve been training doubly hard for this," Pacquiao told the foreign press, both from print and broadcast, which packed the new east wing of the gym.
Pacquiao took a 10-minute drive from his La Palazzo apartment on the way to the gym. He was aboard his all-black 2007 Mercedes Benz SL550 driven by his friend Joseph Jose.
It took Pacquiao another 10 minutes to change into his No Fear training gear, and the moment he stepped out of the dressing room, it was all work and no play.
Pacquiao, arguably the most exciting fighter in the world today, did his usual stuff, and was so impressive with his quickness and strength, terrific head and body movement, and great footwork.
"Manny’s gonna k*ll Erik," said a foreign member of the media.
Pacquiao started the show with three rounds of shadow boxing, then four rounds of mitts with Freddie Roach and two rounds working on the 80-pound punching bag.
He pounded bag so hard it swayed like a rag doll. Then came another two rounds with the double-end bag, three rounds with the speed ball, 12 minutes skipping ropes and another three rounds of shadow boxing.
Pacquiao also did hundreds of crunches with Filipino trainers Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri by his side. Then he faced the press and fielded questions on the Nov. 18 fight at the Thomas and Mack Center.
"As I said I’ve been working very hard because I know Morales is working hard also. I work hard because I respect Morales as a boxer. He is strong also," said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao will be back at Wild Card Friday noon to train despite the absence of Roach, who had to leave Thursday evening for Chicago where one of his fighters would see action.
Roach will be back Saturday, the last day of sparring for Pacquiao. So far, after almost two months and only eight days before the fight, the Pinoy hero has logged close to 150 rounds of sparring.
Pacquiao will leave for Las Vegas on Sunday. It will be a four-hour, 300-mile journey on board his 2003 Lincoln Navigator, and a handful other vehicles carrying his entourage.
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Pacman trains like ‘animal in the ring’
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 11/10/2006
LOS ANGELES — With only 10 days before the big fight, Manny Pacquiao is pushing himself so hard in training that one of his associates has already likened the boxer to an "animal in the ring."
"Yes, he’s already like an animal in training," said Jake Joson Wednesday after watching Pacquiao, scheduled to face Erik Morales on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas, train at the Wild Card Gym here.
"He said he wants to finish off Morales in the early rounds, and that he’s going to fight like there’s no tomorrow. That’s why he’s training like an animal," added Joson of the 27-year-old Pacquiao.
The unofficial count says Pacquiao has logged close to 150 rounds of sparring since he started training in the Hollywood gym, owned by Freddie Roach, almost two months ago.
Pacquiao had seven rounds of sparring against two boxers Wednesday. Thursday is the only public workout for the Filipino ring icon, but with no sparring. Gym work starts at noon.
Pacquiao will hold his last sparring session on Saturday, the day Roach, his chief trainer, returns after a two-day stop in Chicago where one of his fighters will climb the ring.
Pacquiao will leave for Las Vegas on Sunday, and not on Monday which falls on the 13th of November. In Vegas, Pacquiao will just go through the motions at the IBA Gym, a few blocks off the fight venue.
Notes: Lito Camo, the singer-composer who’s behind Manny Pacquiao’s recent hits, flew in from Manila Wednesday evening with one special package containing the boxer’s fighting shoes made by Nike. The red-and-white pair, with its lace-free design, reportedly costs $1,000 a pair, and will not be released to the market until next year... So far, there are only three pairs out, and two of them are with Paqcquiao. The other one is still in the Nike headquarters in Portland, Oregon. Some of the avid followers of Pacquiao in training are Ilocos Sur strongman Chavit Singson who has visited the gym at least thrice in a month, and just the other day Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla who came with some family members.
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Finkel expects Manny to win by KO
By Joaquin Henson
The Philippine Star 11/08/2006
There is no doubt in Shelly Finkel’s mind that Manny Pacquiao will knock out Erik Morales in their 12-round rubber match at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.
But whether Morales will retire or not after the fight remains to be seen, said Finkel from New York the other day.
"I can’t tell you if this will be his last fight if he loses but I am sure he is going to lose and it will be by stoppage," Finkel told The STAR.
Although Finkel expects Morales to be in the best shape of his career, he said Pacquiao is just too quick and too strong for the Mexican veteran.
"Manny is faster, stronger and usually both have stamina but Manny gets stronger as the fight goes on and Erik doesn’t," noted Finkel. "We expect the best Morales possible. His pride is huge and he wants to avenge his embarrassing loss to Manny."
Asked if Morales will hit and run like Marco Antonio Barrera did in outpointing dangerous slugger Rocky Juarez last September, Finkel said he’s not ruling out the possibility but insisted it won’t make a difference in the outcome.
Barrera had difficulty outpunching Juarez in their first meeting and in a strategic twist, opted to cautiously box from long range and never engaged the former Sydney Olympian from Texas in their rematch. Barrera was booed by the crowd for an uninspiring performance but the change in style led to the risk-free win on points. The expectation is Morales will try to do to Pacquiao what Barrera did to Juarez.
"I don’t think Erik can change as Barrera does," said Finkel who manages both Pacquiao and Juarez. "Manny has to keep pressing him and eventually, Erik will collapse."
Finkel said Pacquiao has stuck to his routine with trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and is focused, determined and free of distractions.
"His regimen is not much different but it is consistent and he has been training hard," continued Finkel. "Now that he is on top (of the superfeather- weight division), every fight is important. He cannot afford to lose any."
Finkel said Morales will not be able to survive Pacquiao’s heavy hitting and will fall "from round four on."
Writer Eric Raskin of World Boxing Magazine said the past wars have taken a toll on Morales "who should be able to wave goodbye with no regrets." He is suggesting retirement for "El Terrible."
"Retirement is not a bad option for Morales right now," said Raskin. "He’s lost three of his last four fights, including two in a row, and has finally been knocked out. It’s not unreasonable to suggest, even though he’s still fairly young (at 30), that all the wars have caught up with him."
Raskin said Morales "pulled out one last great performance in the first Pacquiao match but looked ordinary against (Zahir) Raheem and worn down against Pacquiao."
Robert Mladinich, also of World Boxing Magazine, said Morales is finally showing the wear and tear of so many rugged fights in a 48-4 (with 34 KOs) record. Another devastating loss to Pacquiao will likely signal the end of his career.
"If Pac-Man beats him as easily as he did in their second match, Morales might want to seriously ponder retirement," said Mladinich. "The biggest question mark concerns how much he has left after more than 12 years as a pro, tangling with some of the very best small men in the business. That question should be answered on Nov. 18. If Morales wins, there is no reason to think he won’t be right back at the forefront of the division."
Mladinich said few fighters are as relentless and determined as Pacquiao, whose record is 42-3-2 (with 33 KOs ).
"It might look like Pacquiao is nothing but a go-for-broke brawler with good power and endurance but he’s actually more of a thinking man’s fighter than he gets credit for and has learned to utilize savvy footwork to create punching angles," said Mladinich. "Moreover, his once inconsequential right hand is now almost as menacing as his sizzling left."
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Roach sees KO if Morales is not in fine shape
Inquirer
Last updated 04:37am (Mla time) 11/07/2006
Published on page A23 of the November 7, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
ERIK MORALES should be in his fighting best or he’s going to get knocked out again by Manny Pacquiao.
American trainer Freddie Roach declared this yesterday in the latest update on the buildup by the Filipino hero Pacquiao and the Mexican icon Morales for their eagerly awaited rubber match on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in Manila) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In a one-on-one interview with Boxingtalk.com’s Brad Cooney, Roach said there’s no doubt “this will be the best Morales so far” with all the extra effort the Mexican put in to make the 130-lb limit for their super featherweight clash.
“We will find out once and for all if he has one more good fight left in him,” Roach said. “If he doesn’t, he’s going to get knocked out.”
Pacquiao stopped Morales -- the first in the storied career of the former three-time world champion -- in the 10th round of their second meeting last January after the Filipino lost by unanimous decision in their first clash in 2005.
Roach said Pacquiao is working on some “different moves,” mostly defense. “Manny is very offensive minded, but he will be more willing to box in his next fight,” the trainer said.
After flooring two sparring partners yesterday, Roach said he has “to cycle them [sparmates} because they get worn out” from absorbing blows from Pacquiao.
“Manny gets friendly with them once he gets to know them, and he starts taking it easy on them,” said Roach. “We have to cycle them so he doesn’t let up on them.” Salven L. Lagumbay, Contributor
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=30967
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Pacquiao sets Media Day
FOR ONE day next week at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, security won’t be as tight as gaining entry into a black-tie affair.
Before Manny Pacquiao is driven off to Las Vegas on board his sporty black Mercedes Benz to complete the trilogy with Erik Morales set Nov. 18, the Wild Card will play host to the media and, of course, to a multitude of fans armed with notepads, pens, cameras, memorabilia and other similar stuff on Thursday (Friday in Manila).
"We are holding it on Thursday," said Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, whose sweat shop on Vine Street near Santa Monica has been closed to ordinary mortals the past few weeks so the Filipino lefty and the famed cornerman can fully concentrate on their gameplan.
"The gym’s closed whenever Manny trains," said Roach, who expects the workout to intensify this week with less than two weeks remaining before the scheduled 12-rounder at the Thomas and Mack Center.
Pacquiao said he’d like to motor to Sin City on Nov. 12 owing to superstitious beliefs.
"He doesn’t like to go on the 13th," added Roach. All the major Philippine dailies are sending coverage teams to Pacquiao-Morales 3 and the fight will be aired by giant TV station ABS-CBN probably on a delayed basis.
But those who would like to catch the action as it happens will have to cough out as much as R600 to see the fights in cinemas.
However, gun enthusiast Cris Aquino said that diehard fight fans can watch the fight for much less since the city of San Juan is working on bringing the fight on closed circuit on two giant monitors for R250 a pop. Aquino will carry the Philippine flag from Pacquiao’s dressing room all the way to the ring. —Nick GIONGCO
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Pacquiao-Morales III
at the Shang Cineplex
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Pacquiao in delicate phase of training
By NICK GIONGCO
MANNY PACQUIAO has entered the most delicate phase of his training and trainer Freddie Roach “will push him harder” next week as the final countdown begins for the Filipino southpaw’s Nov. 18 rubber match with Erik Morales.
Roach revealed yesterday that "Manny had another great day sparring on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila)" against three different sparring partners for a total of 12 rounds at the Wild Card Boxing Club where Roach has been holding workouts behind closed doors.
"Only those who have business staying with Manny are allowed to stay when Manny trains," Roach said yesterday after supervising another Pacquiao training session.
"We did five rounds with the mitts today and tomorrow we are going to spar again for another 12 rounds," said Roach, a former contender from Boston on whose shoulders also lie the big responsibility of making sure Pacquiao is in awesome shape for the scheduled 12-rounder at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Team Pacquiao is planning to travel to Las Vegas on Nov. 12, a Sunday, instead of the usual Monday before the fight.
"We usually travel the Monday before the fight, but since Monday falls on a 13th, Manny said we’ll just go on Sunday. Manny’s kinda superstitious," added Roach.
Last week, there were reports that Pacquiao would head for Las Vegas on Nov. 14. In Sin City, Pacquiao will train at a well-equipped facility inside the IBA compound just a few blocks from the famed Strip.
Whenever Pacquiao fights in Vegas, he works out at this gym owned by former Major League player Dean Chance.
Team Pacquiao will be billeted at the Wynn Las Vegas, the newest landmark on Las Vegas Boulevard.
Rex "Wakee" Salud, a confidant of Pacquiao, has been assigned to take care of the airfare and fight tickets of the southpaw’s long list of guests from the Philippines.
Salud had indicated recently that it would be better for him to go straight to Vegas to finalize the room assignments before all hell breaks loose in the final days leading to the fight.
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Pacquiao bout winner to face Barrera for title
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 11/03/2006
Marco Antonio Barrera must be smelling a Manny Pacquiao victory over Erik Morales later this month that this early, the reigning WBC champion has marked the date for his projected rematch with the Filipino ring gladiator.
Barrera, holder of the World Boxing Council 130 lbs. title, reportedly met with his brother Jorge and adviser Roberto Diaz the other day, and they have agreed that the awaited rematch with Pacquiao should come on March 11 next year.
Barrera lost to Pacquiao by way of an 11th round knockout when they first met on Nov. 16, 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. Almost written off after the loss, the Mexican assassin picked up the pieces, scoring a string of victories that gave him back the world crown.
Barrera has long waited or evaded a rematch with the punching machine from Mindanao. But the time has come and, granting that Pacquiao beats Morales on Nov. 18, in Las Vegas, the rematch is bound to happen early next year.
Jose Sulaiman, the WBC president, presided over the 44th annual convention of the boxing body in Croatia last Wednesday, and among the important matters discussed and decided were the mandatory title defenses in the different weight classes.
The WBC announced that the coming fight between Pacquiao and Morales, who are dead even at 1-1, will serve as the final eliminator to determine the official challenger for Barrera.
Pacquiao is currently the No. 1 contender, and Morales the No. 2. In case they both fail to accept the Barrera fight, it will be No. 3 Humberto Soto of Mexico who’ll be taking a shot at the world crown.
Barrera and Morales have already fought thrice, with the former sealing a 2-1 edge in the form of a 12-round decision on Nov. 27, 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It was a classic series that many boxing fans had hoped would never end.
But the question is if Morales would still agree to fight Barrera at 130 lbs if the former three-time world champion gets by Pacquiao at the Thomas and Mack Center barely two weeks from now.
Barrera looks more interested in fighting Pacquiao that he has already mapped out his training schedule.
It should begin next month with long runs inside the forest of Jalisco, and by January he’d be moving to the Big Bear camp in California for a 45-day regimen.
While Pacquiao and Morales caught the fans glued on their rivalry, Barrera, the champion, was forced to take on lesser opponents, and in the process earning lesser than the two former champions. A fight with Pacquiao would land Barrera a huge paycheck.
Pacquiao and Morales will receive no less than $3 million each for their coming showdown dubbed "The Grand Finale."
Both Pacquiao and Barrera are now under Oscar dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, and it wouldn’t be hard to set up a rematch especially if the Filipino wins over Morales. The date, however, may be an issue since March 11 would be too close to Pacquiao’s coming fight.
A rematch between Pacquiao and Barrera will also open the doors to a possible third match in case the heads-on showdown is squared. If this happens, it could even be bigger than Pacquiao-Morales because in this showdown the world title will be at stake.
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Erik to Pacman: No way to pay $1M
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 11/01/2006
Erik Morales has vowed to tip the scales at 130 lbs, nothing more and nothing less, for his highly-anticipated showdown with Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas.
The 30-year-old Mexican recently told the Mexican media that he is confident that by the time the two fighters are weighed on the eve of the fight, he will be safely inside the limit.
Under the fight contract, Morales should pay Pacquiao $500,000 if the Mexican weighs from 130.1 to 131 lbs, and $1 million if he weighs in at 132 lbs or more.
Then Pacquiao will also have the option to just take the $1 million and not climb the ring at the Thomas and Mack Center. Pacquiao said he might use this option if Morales weighs 132 or more.
"Manny Pacquiao should not worry himself. I am going to fight him in the date indicated at the Thomas and Mack Center. And he should forget about the 132 pounds. I am going to register the limit of the 130 in which the contract was signed," Morales was quoted as saying.
When the fight contract was signed last July, Morales was weighing around 165 lbs, but has undergone rigid training, including an eight-week weight reduction program in Los Angeles.
Morales weighed 142 last Oct. 18 and reports indicate that he’s now down to 137 with still 17 days left before the fight.
"I expect to conquer Pacquiao. And I’m not going to give him favor of paying him $1 million," Morales told Mexican newspapers.
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No beauty contest for macho Morales
By Recah Trinidad
Inquirer
Last updated 03:52am (Mla time) 10/30/2006
Published on page A30 of the October 30, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
FIVE DAYS after registering 142 pounds, Erik Morales rode the scales and weighed an amazing 137 lb.
This was how Top Rank bossman Bob Arum related the fantastic development to broadcaster Ronnie Nathanielsz last week.
Arum must’ve sounded as though he had discovered a constellation of reserved strength inside Morales’ aging body.
“Manny Pacquiao would be in for a big surprise,” Arum was quoted as warning.
Maybe Arum expected Pacquiao to shudder in fear?
Well, if Pacquiao did not end up laughing, he must’ve brushed off Arum’s statement as another fat lie.
Arum did not indicate if he had personally checked Morales on the scales.
* * *
The grand old man of prizefight promotions may not be bluffing. He could, in fact, be reporting what he had witnessed.
But it was easier to believe that Arum, this time out, had made Morales ride a shaky, sympathetic hotel room weighing machine.
Yes, if Morales had instantly lost five pounds in five days, he could be in for deeper trouble. It’s like this: Morales registering 137 on an official machine must instead be a cause for worry among his backers and close supporters who know their boxing.
* * *
No. Arum couldn’t be accused of deluding himself. He definitely knows his boxing, more than Don King.
But wasn’t Morales progressing normally, shedding poundage carefully and gradually, under the supervision of experts?
At least, this was what we were made to believe before Morales moved up to the Otomi Mountains training site in Mexico from his camp in Los Angeles.
* * *
Meanwhile, around the same time, Pacquiao jumped onto the scales and registered 138 lb -- work shoes, shorts and shirt on.
Trainer Freddie Roach next claimed his prized pupil was easily 136 lb.
That would mean Morales was nothing more than a pound behind Pacquiao in the run-off to their Nov. 17 official weigh-in.
* * *
Now, there was every reason for Arum to be triumphant.
But, at the same time, he could be dangerously trapped in that mode when he had started to believe the Grand Finale would be decided on the weighing scales.
No kidding. This was not the first time this had been said of how fighters could also get overly assertive with their weight and figure.
In the process, these same fighters overlook the fact that making the weight and staying in fighting shape is not one and the same thing.
* * *
Listen, please. Arum could be perfectly happy only if Morales would be joining a beauty pageant, and not going to war, which promises to be the fiercest in his career.
So, did they have to punish Morales?
Five pounds in five days was not exactly normal, based on the announced Morales regimen.
Morales may indeed look great, he could breeze past the official scales, but how much of the old steady fighter would be left in his old, drained system?
* * *
To repeat, Morales won’t be joining a beauty contest.
Warned police superintendent Pat Piñol of North Cotabato: “Fine if it would be a beauty contest, Morales could just walk down the ramp after all the shedding and the trimming down. But it’s not. It would be a rumble in the jungle. Makikipag-bugbugan siya. Let’s see if he could survive Pacman.”
Supt. Piñol was right. Balance and propriety should have been the theme of the Morales regimen. No quick fix, no cutting corners, please.
Anyway, it was just fine for Arum to have warned Pacquiao to watch out -- Morales would be sharper, stronger.
But did the Top Rank big boss sincerely believe the fierce fight would be decided on a silly weight war?
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=29484
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Pacquiao picked as huge favorite
A $ 210 bet for Pacman would only win $ 100
By Nick Giongco
AS EXPECTED, Manny Pacquiao was installed as the heavy favorite in his Nov. 18 Las Vegas rubber match with Erik “El Terrible” Morales.
Sportsbook.com has put Pacquiao a -210 favorite over Morales, who was placed as a +170 underdog in their scheduled 12-round super-featherweight clash at the Thomas and Mack Center.
Oddsmakers say that a wager of $ 210 for Pacquiao would only win $ 100, while a bet of $ 100 for Morales would result in a payoff of $ 170 in case the Mexican prevails in the highly-awaited battle.
Pacquiao’s overwhelming tenth-round knockout victory over Morales last January and the difficulty that Morales will encounter in making the weight limit of 130 lbs in the next three weeks are being taken into account in placing the Filipino as the favored fighter.
While Morales dealt Pacquiao a stinging defeat in the first fight in March 2005, the way Pacquiao scored the most devastating victory of his career early this year remains fresh in everyone’s mind.
Pacquiao, 27, was heavily favored in the first match and the odds were about even during the second meeting.
Morales, 30, is confident of conquering the scales with ease with the help of experts from the Velocity Sports Performance based in Los Angeles.
The Tijuana native has been training intensely in the mountains of Otomi outside Mexico City since Sept. 20.
Morales told the Mexican media over the weekend that he is not keen in shelling out a hefty fine if he fails to make the weight.
Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach said they’ll take the money and push through with the fight if Morales does not go over 132 lbs.
Gun enthusiast Cris Aquino, who will carry the Philippine flag from Pacquiao’s dressing room all the way to the top of the ring, was still surprised that Pacquiao was pegged the overwhelming favorite.
"Masyado tayong llamado," said Aquino, who first carried the flag in Nov. 2003 when Pacquiao beat up Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio, Texas.
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Erik vows to make weight
By NICK GIONGCO
ERIK MORALES assured Filipino archrival Manny Pacquiao that he will make the super-featherweight limit of 130 lbs in time for their scheduled 12-round slugfest on Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
"Manny Pacquiao should not worry. Forget about me making 132 lbs. I will weigh in at 130," Morales told the Mexican sports daily Esto, reacting to Team Pacquiao’s statement a few days ago that the GenSan lefty won’t fight if the Tijuana natives comes in over 132 lbs.
"The fight is done and I hope to win over the Filipino. I don’t like to pay him a million dollars," added Morales, referring to the penalty he will shell out in the event he comes in with extra baggage.
Under the contract that they both signed, Morales will have to cough out 0,000 for every pound in excess of 130 lbs.
Last week in Mexico City, Morales tipped the scales at 142 lbs, while early this week Pacquiao checked in at 138 ¾ lbs.
Both weigh-ins were supervised by a representative from the World Boxing Council, which is sanctioning the bout dubbed "The Grand Finale."
Experts from the Velocity Sports Performance in Los Angeles are lending a hand in Morales’ preparation in the mountains of Otomi outside Mexico City.
Both fighters split the first two fights with Morales, 30, winning the first encounter on points and Pacquiao, 27, striking hard in the rematch with a tenth round stoppage.
Pacquiao is also in the thick of training at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood under the celebrated Freddie Roach.
The two boxers and their respective training teams are headed for Las Vegas on Nov. 14, where Top Rank and Wynn Las Vegas are rolling out the red carpet.
According to sportsbook.com, Manny Pacquiao is listed as a -210 favorite over Erik Morales, who has been listed at +170.
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Beermen reactivate Ildefonso
Inquirer
Last updated 03:53am (Mla time) 10/28/2006
Published on page A18 of the October 28, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
GAMES TODAY (In Subic, Zambales)
4:30 p.m.—Air21 vs San Miguel
(In San Fernando, Pampanga)
5 p.m.—Talk ‘N Text vs Sta. Lucia
SLOWLY, the superpower is taking shape.
San Miguel Beer reactivated two-time Most Valuable Player awardee Danny Ildefonso yesterday, making him available for the Beermen’s match against Air21 in Subic, Zambales, today.
The 6-foot-5 forward rejoins a revamped Beermen squad that looks every inch a powerhouse quintet poised to dominate the field after starting the PBA Philippine Cup off with three straight defeats.
But those three defeats were nothing but smokescreens to hide what the Beermen truly are: An all-star team that can go 11 deep every game.
The Beermen lost their first three matches because Danny Seigle, Ildefonso and Brandon Lee Cablay, easily starters in the squad, were decommissioned by injury.
Seigle has returned and the Beermen have won two straight games. Now, it is Ildefonso’s turn to return and he will debut against the Express at 4:30 p.m. in Subic today.
Ildefonso joins a squad toughened by a midconference trade that netted ex-Ginebra big man Rommel Adducul and former Red Bull star Lordy Tugade.
Old hands Olsen Racela, Dondon Hontiveros, Chris Calaguio, Wesley Gonzales and Willie Wilson will join hands with quality rookie LA Tenorio and Gabby Espinas against the Express, who will banner No. 2 overall pick Arwind Santos, in the 4:30 p.m. match.
In the other out-of-town match, Talk ‘N Text battles Sta. Lucia at 5 p.m. in San Fernando, Pampanga.
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=29228
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Morales, Pacquiao to hype up bout among LA fans
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 10/28/2006
To drum up their forthcoming showdown dubbed as "The Grand Finale," Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales have agreed to go the extra mile.
According to Ricardo Jimenez, the Mexican publicist of Top Rank Promotions, the two fighters who will square off on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas will have to do some additional legwork.
Jimenez said they plan to parade Pacquiao and Morales in Mexican and Filipino communities in Los Angeles a week before the scheduled fight at the Thomas and Mack Center.
Pacquiao will take his turn on Nov. 13 or the day before he leaves with his entourage for Sin City.
Common practice calls for Pacquiao motoring to Vegas five days before the fight.
Morales, on the other hand, will visit the Mexican and Filipino communities on Nov. 14. He arrives from Tijuana to Los Angeles on Nov. 13.
In his two previous fights with Pacquiao, the first in March of 2005 at the MGM Grand and the second last January also at the TMC, Morales was flown in straight to Las Vegas from Tijuana.
This time, it seemed that the 30-year-old Mexican agreed to drop by Los Angeles first for the promotional sortie before taking his private jet to Las Vegas.
The two previous fights between Pacquiao and Morales were certified blockbusters on pay-per-view screen.
The third one, actually the decider after a 1-1 standoff, is no different.
In fact, a record-breaking 19,835 have answered Top Rank’s "Who Will Win? — Pacquiao of Morales" online poll.
So far, the 27-year-old Filipino is way ahead in the polls with 12,438 votes against Morales’ 7,397.
With still three weeks left before the fight, the on-line voting has already surpassed the previous high of 16,000 plus that was recorded last January for the Pacquiao-Morales rematch.
"Those kind of numbers are another indicator how hot this event is," said Bob Arum of Top Rank. "Ticket sales are phenomenal, as is fan interest."
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Pacman weighs 138.75 but Roach not worried
By Abac Cordero
The Philippine Star 10/26/2006
Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 138.75 lbs yesterday in Los Angeles but his camp seemed the very least worried about the 130 lbs limit for the Nov. 18 battle with Erik Morales in Las Vegas.
The 27-year-old Filipino weighed in at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. According to his chief trainer and gym owner Freddie Roach, Pacquiao tipped the scales wearing shorts and fighting shoes.
"His real weight is about 136," said Roach who, like Pacquiao, is not at all worried about the situation.
The weigh-in came only 24 days before the big fight at the Thomas and Mack Center.
Rudy Tellez of the World Boxing Council supervised the mandatory weigh-in that comes inside 30 days before the fight. Under the rules, a fighter cannot exceed the weight limit by 10 percent 30 days before a fight.
Morales, the former three-time world champion, weighed last week in Mexico City. Clad only in cotton shorts, he stood at 142 lbs, and in great danger of meeting the 130 limit.
Pacquiao has been training heavily in Los Angeles for over a month now. He came in with no weight problems, unlike Morales who was reportedly at 165 lbs when the fight was sealed last July.
Morales spent two months at the high-tech Velocity Training Center in LA for two months, undergoing a weight-reduction program run by at least six international experts.
After the fight press conference last Sept. 18 at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Morales proceeded to his mountain hideaway, two hours away from Mexico City, for serious road and gym work.
Morales said he felt "unbelievably strong" after tipping the scales at 142, although some experts believe that he was merely trying to stay positive despite the fact that he had to lose 12 lbs in less than a month.
If indeed Pacquiao is at 136 as Roach claimed, the left-handed slugger only needs to lose a pound every four days and head into the fight practically on a full tank.
In contrast, Morales has to shed 12 lbs in less than a month. While it’s definitely possible, the big question is how much power would be left in him by the time he climbs the ring against an in-form Pacquiao.
Sanirose Orbeta, the country’s top sports nutritionist, said losing 12 lbs in a month is "precarious because for boxers, we normally allow weight loss of anywhere from four to six pounds in a month."
Adding up the pressure was Roach’s recent statement that they wouldn’t fight Morales if the Mexican would come in heavier than 132 lbs during the final and official weigh-in on the eve of the fight.
Under the fight contract, Morales would pay Pacquiao $500,000 if the former tips the scale from 130.1 to 131 lbs, and $1 million if he even goes 132 or heavier.
Pacquiao will also have the option to take the $1 million and not fight Morales anymore. If Morales comes in heavier than 132, Pacquiao might just take the easy money.
And run back home.
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Pacman tips in at 138 ¾ lbs
By Nick Giongco
WEARING HIS trunks and pair of boxing shoes, Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 138 ¾ lbs on Wednesday morning (Tuesday afternoon in the US) to pass a requirement by the World Boxing Council for fighters to undergo a pre-fight weigh-in 30 days before their scheduled bout.
"He (Pacquiao) was on the scales wearing his shoes," trainer Freddie Roach said. "His real weight is about 136 (lbs)," added Roach.
Rudy Tellez, the WBC’s Southern California representative, supervised the weigh-in held at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.
Pacquiao’s opponent on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas, Mexican Erik Morales, had been weighed in the presence of WBC Executive Secretary Mauricio Sulaiman, over the weekend in Mexico City.
Morales, clad in boxer shorts, tipped the scales at 142 lbs, a pound under the maximum weight allowable.
The official weigh-in for the two fighters will be held on Nov. 17 at the Wynn Las Vegas, but Pacquiao and Morales would still have to weigh in on Nov. 11 as per WBC rules to determine if they are right on target in their respective bids to cut down on weight.
When the WBC weighs the two on Nov. 11, they both should not weigh more than 136 ½ lbs, according to Games and Amusements Board Boxing Division Chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, who has a copy of the correspondence that Sulaiman furnished Pacquiao and Morales’ camps.
To make sure Pacquiao does not encounter problems with the scales in the week-before-the-fight weigh-in, Cruz, a member of the WBC’s Medical Advisory Board, will arrive in Los Angeles on Nov. 10 to lend his expertise on the matter.
The super-featherweight limit is 130 lbs and Pacquiao has never had any difficulties making it for almost two years now, while Morales has had problems going down to that level.
But with experts from Velocity Sports Performance in Los Angeles helping him out, Morales believes he can get the job done and climb the ring in top form
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Pacquiao, No. 3 din sa Ring Magazine
Ang Pilipino STAR Ngayon 10/25/2006
Matapos ang isang boxing website, muling pumuwesto sa No. 3 si Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao sa isang popular na boxing magazine sa hanay ng mga pound-for-pound fighters sa buong mundo.
Binigyan ng bigat ng Ring Magazine ang mga impresibong panalo ng 27-anyos na si Pacquiao sa mga Mexican boxers.
Ang pagiging No. 3 ng 27-anyos na tubong General Santos City sa linya ng mga pound-for-pound fighters sa buong mundo ay nauna nang pinatotohanan ng boxing website na Boxing-talk.com.
Inilagay naman ng Ring Magazine si Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera, ang kasalukuyang featherweight champion sa World Boxing Council (WBC), sa No. 6, samantalang wala naman sa Top 10 si dating three-division titlist Erik Morales.
Ito ay bunga na rin ng sinasabing kabiguan niya kay Pacquiao sa kanilang rematch noong Enero ng taong ito kung saan siya humalik sa lona sa 10th round ng kanilang super featherweight bout.
Nasa maigting na paghahanda ngayon sina Pacquiao at Morales para sa kanilang "Grand Finale" sa Nobyembre 18 sa Thomas & Mack Center sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sakaling manalo si Pacquiao kay Morales sa ikalawang sunod na pagkakataon, tiniyak ng Golden Boy Promotions ni Oscar Dela Hoya na magkakaroon ng Pacquiao-Barrera rematch sa 2007.
Tinalo ni Pacquiao si Barrera sa kanilang "People’s Featherweight Championship" noong Nobyembre ng 2003 via 11-round stoppage.
Ang listahan ng Top 10 pound-for-pound boxers ng Ring Magazine hanggang Oktubre 22 ay binubuo nina Floyd Mayweather, Winky Wright, Manny Pacquiao, Jermain Taylor, Barnard Hopkins, Marco Antonio Barrera, Rafael Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Jose Luis Castillo at Joe Calzaghe. (RC)
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Trainer Freddie Roach says
Pacquiao is like Stallone’s ‘Rocky’
By NICK GIONGCO
FREDDIE ROACH sees a strong similarity between the Nov. 18 rubber match pitting Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales with that of the 1985 movie clash between Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone, and Ivan Drago, portrayed by Dolph Lundgren.
"For me, this will be like the movie ‘Rocky’ where Stallone’s opponent undergoes training with a group of experts and doctors but still loses against a natural fighter," Roach told Hispanic fight scribe Ramiro Gonzalez in an article published in the Los Angeles-based Spanish-language newspaper La Opinion on Monday.
Like the muscular Drago who honed his skills using the most modern techniques and facilities, Morales has been training under a team of physical conditioning experts, doctors and dietitians.
Roach revealed that just before he went to work the corner of Gerry Peñalosa in El Paso, Texas, Pacquiao had weighed in at 134 lbs, just four lbs over the superfeatherweight limit of 130.
Morales tipped the scales at 142 on Friday during an official weigh-in supervised by the World Boxing Council in Mexico City.
His training team and even staffers of the Velocity Sports Performance in Los Angeles expressed the belief that Morales is right on track.
But some observers say Morales is still behind in his race to meet the weight limit. At 142 pounds with just 25 days remaining before fight night, Morales will have to lose at least a pound every two days to make the limit.
"He can do that," said veteran Inquirer sportswriter Recah Trinidad, "but he might be too weak to put up a good fight against Pacquiao who, on the other hand, is just four pounds overweight at the moment."
If Morales comes in above the weight limit of 130 lbs, he will pay a fine of 0,000 for each pound that he is overweight. That holds true for Pacquiao, too.
Under the contract signed by the two boxers, each fighter can decline to fight, pocket the fine and call it a day.
Pacquiao, however, is not inclined to simply taking Morales’ money in the event Morales is overweight. During an interview two months ago, Paquiao said he will still enter the ring because not to do so would make him appear "greedy."
Because of Pacquiao’s tremendous performance during workouts and sparring sessions, Roach is confident that the Filipino can easily duplicate or even surpass his 10th round knockout win against the Tijuana native last January.
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Morales still overweight for duel with Pacman
The Philippine Star 10/22/2006
Can he really make the weight?
While he felt "unbelievably strong" after weighing in at 142 lbs in Mexico City yesterday, Erik Morales’ chances of making the 130 lb limit for his Nov. 18 battle with Manny Pacquiao has remained in question.
As mandated by the World Boxing Council, the three-time world champion from Mexico was weighed a month before the fight, and was allowed to weigh no more than 143 lbs.
Morales tipped the scales at the Melia Hotel in Mexico City, clad only in striped boxing shorts, and in the presence of his father-trainer Jose Morales and WBC representative Mauricio Sulaiman.
Morales weighed 142 lbs. He now has exactly 27 days to shed off 12 lbs. While making the 130 lb limit is still possible, how he would remain in good condition climbing the ring is the big question.
Under the fight contract for the third and final showdown between the two sensational fighters, Morales will have to pay Pacquiao $500,000 if the Mexican weighs from 130.1 to 131 lbs.
And if Morales weighs more than that, Pacquiao will be paid $1 million and given the option of just taking the money and not fighting the crafty Mexican for the third and last time.
Pacquiao had previously said that if this happens, he would take the money, an easy P50 million, and still fight Morales. This way, he said, people wouldn’t think that he’s running away from the fight.
Pacquiao and Morales are guaranteed $3 million each for the fight. If Morales goes overboard, and Pacquiao decides to just take the $1 million and run, there’ll be no fight, and logically, no fight purse.
It was also announced that 10,000 tickets to the fight, set at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, have been sold, from as low as $50 to as high as $500. Other ticket prices are $100, $200 and $300.
When the fight contract was signed last July, Morales’ weight was severely questioned since he appeared to be weighing probably close to more than 160 lbs.
The Morales camp tried to lure Pacquiao to a catch weight of 135 lbs. But the Filipino insisted on 130 lbs, leading to the "give-me-a-million-and-will-fight-you" clause if Morales goes overweight.
Pacquiao never had problems with his weight as he prepared for this fight. Just the other day, his chief trainer Freddie Roach said the left-handed knockout artist is safe and sound at 135 lbs.
Morales, on the other hand, has worked so hard over the last three months. He stayed in Los Angeles for a rigid 60-day weight reduction program at the high-tech Velocity Training Center.
Then right after the Sept. 18 fight press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the 30-year-old Morales moved straight to this secluded training camp in the mountains of Otomi, two hours away from Mexico City.
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Pacman a puzzle, Morales a delight
By Salven Lagumbay
Inquirer
Last updated 02:47am (Mla time) 10/21/2006
Published on page A25 of the October 21, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
NOW a living riddle to boxing promoters, Manny Pacquiao could mount a greater edge over Erik Morales if he proves similarly elusive inside the ring in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.
After acquiring a brand new Mercedes Benz SL 550—one that packs 383 horsepower in a 5.5-liter V8 engine in California for about $105,000 (P5.36 million)—Pacquiao has allowed Top Rank boss Bob Arum to brag that Oscar dela Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions has not wholly acquired the Pacman.
Arum on Thursday claimed that Pacquiao’s succeeding fights after the Nov. 18 Grand Finale encounter with Morales will still be under the Top Rank banner.
“At the end of the day, I am convinced that win or lose, Manny Pacquiao’s next fight and fights after that will be under the banner of Top Rank, that’s all I can say,” said Arum in an interview with Boxingtalk’s Greg Leon.
Arum refused to elaborate.
“I can’t say how, why, what and so forth, that’s all I can say,” added the Harvard University lawyer-turned-premier promoter of world boxing.
Earlier, Pacquiao had signed up a seven-fight deal with De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, which carried with it a $300,000 signing bonus and assurances of mega-fights against Marco Antonio Barrera and other big-name fighters.
Feeling triumphant over the latest twist in the promotional tug-of-war over Pacquiao, Arum also announced that Morales will be a true delight to his fans when he does his WBC-mandated 30-day weigh-in in Mexico City today.
Morales will take part at a news conference at the Melia Hotel, and then step on the scale to prove to the media and the world that he will be doubly mean for his fight with Pacquiao.
Meanwhile, trainer Freddie Roach has also announced that Pacquiao is now down to 135 lbs, and has been sparring three times a week at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, against Vicente Escobedo and Charlie Hanshaw.
“I expect him to knock Morales out in the late rounds again,” Roach told Fightfan.com. “He’ll break him down and knock him out.
“Morales had never been knocked out in his life and thought it was impossible. I think it will come easier this time.”
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=27910
PacMan's Corner
in Boxing
Posted
Manny’s power, speed awe Mexican sparmate
The Philippine Star 11/14/2006
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao, according to one of his Mexican sparring partners, will be very hard to beat when he climbs the ring against Erik Morales next week in Las Vegas.
"He moves quickly and is very, very effective. I know he’s fighting at 130 pounds but he punches like a middleweight," said David "Dangerous" Rodela Friday at the Wild Card Gym here.
Rodela, at 5-foot-9 and 140 lbs much taller and heavier than Pacquiao, just finished two rounds of sparring with the hard-hitting Filipino at the Wild Card Gym when approached by Pinoy scribes.
Pacquiao’s other sparring partner is Jorge Padilla, another Mexican who is just as tall and heavy as Rodela.
Rodela said what’s nicer about Pacquiao is his agility on the ring.
"He really has the speed to go with it. He moves from side to side, very in and out and very technical. And he wastes no punches. His condition? I’ve never seen anybody in this condition before.
"I know he’s going to win," added Rodela, a pro boxer with a ring record of six wins, a loss and two draws with four knockouts. He’s fighting as a super-lightweight, two divisions higher than Pacquiao.
Morales, according to Rodela, is just as good or even better when it comes to boxing skills.
"Morales is good and he has the distance but he’s more of a boxer. I don’t think he has the power to knock out Pacquiao. I know he has the skills to hurt but not to knock him down," Rodela added.
Any predictions?
"I don’t think there’s gonna be any knockdowns. I think it’s going to the scorecards. That’s my personal opinion. They both have the skills. But for me it’s Pacquiao." — Abac Cordero
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200611141604.htm