PacMan's Corner

[tobats04]

This is what I am afraid of...

 

"Morales is promoted by Top Rank and Bob Arum," said Pineda. "With Manny signed to Golden Boy, Top Rank will obviously want Morales to win. In a close fight, I don’t think the judges will give the decision to Manny. That only means for Manny to make sure he wins, he’s got to knock out Morales again. He did it once before so there’s no reason why he can’t do it again."

[tobats04]

pero eto maganda..

galing mo talaga Manny.. Pinoy Nike..

 

Manny+Nike Apparel = Japorms

ayos!

 

Pacquiao, who recently signed a two-year endorsement contract with Nike, would’ve been the only boxer in the elite circle.

 

Pacquiao’s contract covers shoes, training equipment (like skipping rope) and gym body-wraps. It does not include apparel as Pacquiao has a live contract with "No Fear" until next year. Pacquiao will pitch for Nike in print ads and billboards. He will also make public appearances.

[Cmayfrayna]

morales ako...hope pacman loses this....hehehe.....

 

 

 

 

:mtc:

[ponx_99]

Manny all the way!!! Wag lang siyang papadistract with all that's been going on tulad ng pagsign nya kay goldenboy. Go Manny!!

[greenarrow]

Pacquiao training rated ‘A’ by Roach

 

By Nick Giongco

 

ALL PUMPED up and raring to get it on.

 

 

That was how Freddie Roach described Manny Pacquiao yesterday in an interview with the Bulletin from the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.

 

 

After another "great day" with the Filipino puncher, Roach said that Pacquiao’s sparring sessions and gym workouts have been graded as A+ and that everything is going on smoothly with 38 days remaining before the third clash with Erik Morales in Las Vegas.

 

"Manny is fired up and hungry for work (training)," said Roach, who was still working on a fighter when the Bulletin caught up with him Tuesday night (early Wednesday morning in Manila).

 

No major concerns, according to the former featherweight contender from Boston save for one thing.

 

"I have no worries except that a lot of people are beginning to show up at the gym and I have decided to close the door starting on Monday from 1-3 pm," said Roach, who began working out with Pacquiao for the Nov. 18 battle with Morales three weeks ago.

 

Before the Wild Card begins to get the look and feel of a circus, Roach wants to limit the entry of people inside the sweat shop "so Manny don’t get distracted."

 

On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), the 27-year-old Pacquiao will again spar with Vicente Escobedo, a skillful Mexican-American who, like Pacquiao, fights under the Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar dela Hoya.

 

Roach revealed that Juan Lazcano, the tall and long-armed super-lightweight from Texas, will no longer be called in to spar but might be tapped after his scheduled bout this month.

 

Meanwhile, Morales was quoted as saying by the Mexican media that Pacquiao is "scared" to fight him in the rubber match.

 

In an interview conducted in his high-altitude training camp in the Otomi Mountains of Mexico, the 30-year-old Morales lashed at Pacquiao, who he described as just being lucky during the rematch.

 

"I was teaching a lesson in the first five rounds but I just got tired," boasted Morales, who had to be rescued by the referee in the tenth round of that January 2006 slugfest.

 

"I am the better fighter compared to him," said Morales, who won the first fight on points.

 

Morales also bared that the men who will work his corner are his father and long-time trainer Jose "Olivaritos" Morales, strategist Fernando Fernandez and Argentine cutman Miguel Diaz.

 

 

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006101276833.html

[Kuya!]

question lang po.

hindi kaya baka masyado siyang maaga mag "peak" sa training nya?

 

o baka ma-"overtrain" naman siya

[greenarrow]

Pacquiao brod faces Velazquez in Vegas

 

The Philippine Star 10/13/2006

 

Bobby Pacquiao will take on Hector Velazquez on Nov. 16 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas after his scheduled fight against Robbie Peden for the IBF elimination bout failed to push through.

 

Pacquiao’s management team, composed of Michael Koncz, Rex Salud and brother Manny, announced yesterday that its promoter, Top Rank, failed to reach agreeable terms with the Peden camp, thus paving the way for a clash with Velazquez.

 

"Rather than going to a purse bid with the possibility of the fight taking place in Australia, the management team elected not to participate in the elimination bout," said Koncz in a report at Fightnews.com.

 

Koncz added that contracts were signed yesterday for Bobby to face Velazquez, a one-time opponent of his brother. The bout will be a 12-round main event non-title fight. The card will be televised nationally to millions of homes by Versus Network (formally OLN).

 

Bobby Pacquiao has been undergoing extensive preparation along with his more illustrious brother at the Wild Card gym since Sept. 19.

 

Manny, according to Koncz, said that "Velazquez is a tough opponent but Bobby is training very hard for this fight and will be ready for the challenge. I will be at ring side to give Bobby encouragement and my support."

 

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610131608.htm

[blue_blooded]

question lang po.

hindi kaya baka masyado siyang maaga mag "peak" sa training nya?

 

o baka ma-"overtrain" naman siya

 

Pacman only trains hard between 12-14 weeks tops.

 

Si Morales ang baka ma overtrain, remember that he already went into that weight reduction program before he started his high altitude boxing training. And he's mouthing off this early, not a very good sign of a fighter who is confident of his skills and strengths. He's trying to get into Manny's mind now. Pacman's doing the right thing by keeping generally quiet and just saying enough to keep everybody interested. Regardless of the results, Manny will come out looking good and Morales will come out looking bad. Manny will be exciting and fun to watch and will knock out Morales if he decides to slug it out. Erik will have a chance if he runs around and boxes Manny from a distance. But if Manny comes in prepared, he will eventually catch El Terrible and a short ending is always possible. The Pacman, win or lose, will walk away to bigger money fights as he will prove that he is the bigger draw, the boxer that people pay to watch. Morales even if he wins will be one step closer to retirement.

[greenarrow]

Throng salivating for seat in Pacquiao-Morales III

 

 

By Hermie Rivera

Inquirer

Last updated 05:41am (Mla time) 10/15/2006

 

Published on page A26 of the October 15, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

THE much-awaited 12-round showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Eric Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada, is almost at hand.

 

As we approach the fight date of Nov. 18 (19th Manila time), the guys taking charge of this ring promo are one in saying that reporters and fans are still in the dark as to who has the edge in the final deal of this intriguing trilogy.

 

I guess you would be, too, if you count yourself part of the large throng salivating for a seat in boxing’s newest heaven—the Thomas and Mack Center—where Mora-les tumbled to submission courtesy of a 10th round knockout by the hitman from GenSan, Cotabato.

 

Before that, “El Terrible” Morales halted Pacquiao’s winning streak in May of last year, an outstanding feat that put a dent on Pacman’s winning form throughout much of his comeback.

 

But the Filipino boxing idol avenged his painful loss with aplomb—dealing the Mexican three-time champ his only knockout loss of his career.

 

Somehow I find my elation at nearing the conclusion of this bitter rivalry of the two ring icons stressed by the scheduled journey of a parasitic band, primed to leave for this spectacular fight of Manny Pacquiao at (you guessed it) his expense.

 

Favored officials of the Games and Amusements board have finalized their travel itinerary, unmindful of the need to look for ways to help our boxers needing assistance as mandated by their charter. This agency could not care less for as long as they are snugly ensconced at ringside for such boxing rarity.

 

Never mind if their presence is needed here to afford them a chance at lobbying for a professional boxing act that could set safety standards for our pugilists.

 

Not even health insurance is provided for our great unwashed, and the much needed protection for our fighters from absconding promoters is non existent under the current set-up.

 

Worse, this agency does not implement its own regulation covering purses which provides that prize money of contending parties must be paid in full before a championship match is executed.

 

Case in point: Luisito Espinosa’s 1997 unpaid purse of $150,000 owed to the boxer by the promoters led by ex Gov. Larry de Pedro, Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar in that regrettable title setto in Koronadal, South Cotabato

 

What we’ve been treated to is the spectacle of GAB subalterns headed by their top honchos, constantly touring various capitals of the world attending conventions of dubious alphabet organizations.

 

Oh yes. These modern-day Marco Polos have been at it since heaven-knows-when, circumnavigating the world boxing capitals instead of finding ways to help solve some of the problems bedeviling the fight game. At our expense.

 

As in previous Pacquiao fights, it would also do well for everyone to keep track of the continued pilgrimage of our gallivanting politicos who’ll for sure be splurging at the fabulous sights and sounds of glitzy Vegas.

 

The same aggregation who’ve done nothing to help our bold practitioners of the art—our ambassadors who’ve brought honor and pride to the country.

 

We are left to stare at the utter helplessness of our ring campaigners utterly neglected by these heartless souls who abound in what the late Jimmy Cannon calls “the red light district of sports.”

 

Sound management is critical to the health of an organization, office or association. Sadly, the country is saddled with an agency that has outlived its usefulness.

 

About time a more robust sports body is created, one that could give a much needed-breath of fresh air to our hapless prizefighters. Any takers?

 

 

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=26780

[nathalia]

the battle begins.......very very soon :cool:

[greenarrow]

Morales determinadong manalo kay Pacquiao

 

Ang Pilipino STAR Ngayon 10/16/2006

 

Sa kabila ng pinanggalingang dalawang sunod na kabiguan, kumpiyansa pa rin si Mexican great Erik Morales na mananalo siya kay Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.

 

"I’m still capable of winning," wika ng 30-anyos na si Morales sa panayam ng isang boxing website. "I cannot afford to lose focus on this fight and I will try to win it."

 

Kasalukuyang nagsasanay si Morales sa Otomi Mountain sa labas ng Mexico City para sa kanilang "Grand Finale" ng 27-anyos na si Pacquiao sa Nobyembre 18 sa Thomas & Mack Center sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Upang maibalik ang dati niyang tikas at porma, muling kinuha ng dating three-division champion ang kanyang amang si Jose para maging personal trainer.

 

Unang tinalo ni Morales si Pacquiao noong Marso ng 2005 via unanimous decision bago nakabawi ang Filipino warrior sa kanilang ikalawang pagtatagpo noong Enero nitong 2006 mula sa isang 10th-round knockout.

 

Matapos mabigo kay Pacquiao, muling nakatikim ng pagkatalo si Morales, naghari sa super bantamweight, featherweight at super featherweight divisions, kay Zahir Raheem.

 

Ang nasabing kabiguan ni Morales kay Raheem ay nang bumaba siya ng timbang sa lightweight mula sa kanilang super featherweight fight ni Pacquiao.

 

"I loss to Manny Pacquiao because I was undertrained and not because of the attack of Manny Pacquiao. But I still believe I can beat Manny Pacquiao," ani Morales. (R. Cadayona)

 

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/PINOY200610167402.htm

[xeanxyza]

i hope pacquiao wins the third battle... pero if it comes down to scorecards... i highly doubt it...

 

with all these endorsements and being under the golden boy promotion isn't enough for manny...

would you really think he'll run for office?

i mean hasn't that been the trend in the phil? i just hope na hindi...

i'm hoping he'll still be as humble as efren "bata" reyes even with all his glory...

 

 

GO PACQUIAO!!!

[greenarrow]

Five reasons why Erik could upset Manny

By Joaquin Henson

The Philippine Star 10/17/2006

 

Manny Pacquiao is the logical favorite to win over Erik Morales in their scheduled 12-round rubber match at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

 

The reasons are clear.

 

First, Pacquiao soundly whipped Morales in their second meeting last January and nobody had ever stopped "El Terrible" before.

 

Second, Morales has lost three of his last four outings and at 30, appears to be approaching retirement while Pacquiao, 27, is at the peak of his career.

 

Third, Morales has outgrown the 130-pound division and is forcing himself to drop weight for what could be his final big payday. Pacquiao, in contrast, is comfortable as a superfeatherweight.

 

Fourth, Pacquiao is too quick and too strong for Morales.

 

And finally, Pacquiao is most dangerous when he is under pressure to win and with a newly-inked contract to be promoted by Oscar de la Hoya, he knows there’s a lot at stake in the fight.

 

But writer William Dettloff said there is hope for a Morales upset despite the odds. In a cover story for World Boxing Magazine (Winter 2006), Dettloff listed five reasons why Morales could pull off a victory in "The Grand Finale."

 

"There’s an awful lot working against Morales for this fight but if you’re a Morales fan, we’re here to tell you all hope isn’t lost," said Dettloff. "There are grounds to believe he’s not quite done yet, that he just lost a pair of fights that anyone could have lost and that he could win this one."

 

Here are Dettloff’s five reasons.

 

•The first fight. Dettloff said Morales exposed Pacquiao’s vulnerability by pounding out a "close but obvious" unanimous decision (the three judges turned in identical 115-113 scorecards) in their first encounter in March last year.

 

"The outcome was about Morales keeping his distance, staying outside and spearing Pacquiao with right hands whenever PacMan came chomping into range," said Dettloff. "It was mostly a matter of Morales controlling the distance and choreography of the fight. He won the rounds in which he was able to do that and lost those in which he wasn’t able to. He won more than he lost and even stood right with Pacquiao in the 12th round and slugged with him even though he had the fight won."

 

•Forget the loss to Raheem. According to Dettloff, Morales‚ defeat to stylish Zahir Raheem in September last year was an aberration and shouldn’t count in analyzing the Mexican’s worth. Dettloff said moving up to lightweight had an adverse effect on Morales‚ ability to move, punch and react.

 

"Morales wasn’t just powerless against Raheem but he was slow, clumsier than usual and lethargic," said Dettloff. "Another reason you can probably throw out the loss to Raheem when analyzing the rubber match with Pacquiao — the styles. Raheem is a safety-first, run-and-clutch grabber. Pacquiao’s style is about as far away from Raheem’s as you can get.

 

•The first five rounds of the rematch. Dettloff said Morales swept the third, fourth and fifth rounds on the judges’ scorecards in the Pacquiao rematch "by doing just what he had done so successfully in their first fight — keeping Pacquiao at the end of his jab, outmaneuvering him on the outside and running him into straight right hands."

 

Dettloff said it’s easy to forget how Morales dominated Pacquiao in the early going because in the end, the Mexican was a bloody mess.

 

•Too much pressure on Pacquiao. Dettloff said Morales isn’t as revered in Mexico as Pacquiao is in the Philippines so the load is heavy on the Filipino’s shoulders. Morales isn’t even expected to win, continued Dettloff, so he’s got everything to gain and nothing to lose.

 

"Pacquiao has the hopes of an entire nation riding on his back," said Dettloff.

 

•Too many distractions for Pacquiao. Dettloff said not even Oscar de la Hoya could hold a candle to Pacquiao when it comes to outside interests.

 

"It’s true that Morales is busy outside the ring also but most of his ventures involve promoting smaller boxing shows along with the musical group he manages," noted Dettloff. "He also has some commercial endorsements in Mexico. But you don’t hear about him suffering from exhaustion or gambling nights away in casinos, as we hear Pacquiao does."

 

In sum, Dettloff said with the fighter that Pacquiao is, it’s a lot to ask of Morales to win. "But don’t be surprised if he makes it tough," he added. "And don’t be shocked if he pulls it off."

 

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610171602.htm

[pogingpogi2x]

But he forgot to mention in their 1st fight Pacquiao got accidental headbutt! Cguro kung walang headbutt manalo kaya c Morales dat time?

[pogingpogi2x]

Hi guys im here again!! Well.. I just got this column from one of the writers..and here’s the pleasure catch!! (ano na naman kaya??) sabi nila… the boxer Manny Pacquiao has become the Muhammad Ali of the Philippines. ano daw?? Because of his fame, many would like to see him run for office. The writer thinks that's a bad idea. Akalain mo nga naman pati c PACMAN i-compare daw ba kay Muhammad Ali wow!! usapang muslim na ba ito??(heheh!) :cool:

 

What do u think?? magpapa- convert ba c PACMAN ?Or there are other reasons behind?? hmmm??

 

hehehehee BOXER din un di u ba alam?

[Kuya!]

http://www.maxboxing.com/Kim/Kim092006.asp

 

Morales Coming with Velocity on November 18th

By Steve Kim (Sep 20, 2006)

 

About a month ago, during a 'Solo Boxeo' telecast on Telefutura, a special feature was done on Erik Morales - who in preparation for his November 18th rubbermatch against Manny Pacquiao at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas was going through a series of strength and conditioning drills designed to put him in optimum fitness as he pares down to 130 pounds.

 

It just didn't look right. Morales, who in many ways is the definition of your tough, hard-nosed, old-fashioned Mexican fighter, looked out-of-place in a modern training facility, lifting weights, doing plyometrics and doing 'core' exercises.

 

But after losing three of his last four bouts, and getting stopped by Pacquiao in his last outing, it was clear that Morales had to evolve when it came to his workout regimen. 'El Terrible', who's known for blowing up in weight and then struggling to come back down, has spent the last couple of months in Los Angeles under the supervision of Velocity Personal Training.

 

And get this, like that little kid, Mikey, from the old Life Cereal commercial, he liked it, he really, really liked it.

 

“It’s really been good, it's nothing too hard, nothing too easy," he would say through Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez at Tuesday afternoon’s press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel to officially announce his next battle. "It's always good to learn. You see a lot of things you've never seen before. It was something new and I enjoyed it."

 

Last September, Morales would fail to even make the lightweight limit and proceeded to get outboxed by Zahir Raheem. Then in the Pacquiao rematch - which took place at 130 pounds - after a strong start, he would fade late and get overwhelmed in ten rounds.

 

“All I know is he really had to do something about his physical conditioning," said his promoter, Bob Arum. "We recommended that he go to Velocity Personal Training and he is ecstatic with what the results have been."

 

According to Arum, like many veteran fighters, Morales resisted something he felt was so radical.

 

“Absolutely, because again, he wasn't fully aware of what these guys could do. He made conditions; he didn't want them to interfere with his boxing. But within the first week he realized how beneficial this program was. For example, for five years he's had problems with his right shoulder. Within two weeks, that was gone."

 

After today’s press conference, Morales and his team - which will include members of the Velocity staff - were scheduled to go back to the Otomi Mountains in Mexico to begin the boxing portion of their preparations.

 

When asked what his fighter was weighing currently, Arum guessed: "Probably about 16, 17 pounds over the limit. He hasn't started sparring or anything so I think the next couple of weeks he'll probably be in the 130's and then to make weight will be easy."

 

And he'll have a great incentive to reach the jr. lightweight limit.

 

“The contract provides that if he's over, it's $500,000 for each pound or fraction that he's over," explained Arum. "So I'm not guaranteeing anything, but there's not going to be a problem with the weight."

 

Arum just happens to promote Jose Luis Castillo, who was scheduled to be in his own rubbermatch versus Diego Corrales this past June, but didn't come anywhere close to making the lightweight limit of 135 pounds. This, after not making weight in his rematch against Corrales last October. For his actions, Castillo was fined a quarter-million dollars and suspended the rest of 2006.

 

All this after Castillo and his handlers had assured everyone that he would come in as a 135-pounder.

 

“You can't rely on these trainers, particularly the Mexican trainers," said Arum, when asked if anything was learned from that snafu. "They have a way that they bring a guy in and the last few days they take off like eight pounds. That's absurd. You don't do that anymore. And they screwed up Castillo losing weight because they panicked and that's never going to happen again."

 

Jon Jon Park, the training director for Velocity Personal Training, says that Morales was a relatively quick convert to his new workouts.

 

“We’ve dealt with this before," he said, "and I must say that Erik had his own ideas, but he's been very, very compliant and he's been willing to give it a go; this is a whole new system of training to him. I have to say that he's been a pleasure to work with. He's been very dedicated and he's followed everything to a tee."

 

Park describes their goal, thusly: "There are several components. The first thing is we have to make sure in order for his weight, he does so in a fashion whereby he's not cannibalizing muscle or sacrificing good quality weight to get there, which is so prevalent in the boxing community with anyone under the heavyweight category. They starve themselves to make weight, they dehydrate themselves, and by the time that they make weight, by the time they step into the ring, they're totally dehydrated and exhausted and they've cannibalized a lot of muscle to get there.

 

“So our whole program is to ensure that that he doesn't sacrifice muscle, he keeps his strength up and the weight he loses is not quality weight but excess fluid and excess body weight."

 

As for what exercises are utilized, Park says, "A little bit of everything," with plyometrics, core strengthening drills, running and the old boxing taboo - weight training.

 

Which Park clarifies by explaining, "In terms of actual weight training, per se, I wouldn't say it's in the general terms that people know weight training, such as bench pressing or barbell squats, things of that nature. Because the object with Erik is not necessarily to put on mass but to get to his weight. So we didn't want to put on a lot of muscle because losing muscle is very, very difficult.

 

“So it was matter of just keeping what he had, making sure that it was strong and even stronger."

 

Morales worked with the Velocity team six days a week (his off-day being Sunday), switching between cardiovascular and interval running every other day, followed by a resting period where he would eat a meal and consume supplements, followed by a strength training workout, which took approximately an hour.

 

Workouts such as these are common in the other major sports. But boxing has been painfully slow to adapt and to utilize advances in research and technology. Boxing may not subscribe anymore to eating four raw eggs for breakfast, followed by monotonous roadwork in construction boots, a session at the gym and a dinner of steak and potatoes at night, but it's only step or two from that.

 

“I’ll put my head on the line and say this," proclaims Park, "that quite frankly, I think in ten years time if the boxers, especially the Latin boxers, if they train like they do now, they're not going to last. Because just like any other sport, it's evolved to such a degree. I don't think there's any top athlete in the world today that's not doing weight training. Unfortunately, they still have this archaic thinking that weight training slows you down.

 

“Well, it depends on how you do the weight training, number one. Number two, there's never been any physiological evidence that weight training slows you down. A perfect example is you look at the physique of a 100-meter runner, these guys in six months, they could enter a body-building competition. These guys are the fastest guys in the world with all that muscle. So there's no question that weight training can not only enhance your power, but enhance your speed. Because what it does in fact - if done correctly - is build white-fiber, which is your explosive fiber. And that's exactly what a boxer needs."

 

Velocity Personal Training, which is located in West Los Angeles, has a diverse clientele that includes figures in the entertainment world and business professionals to plain ol' housewives. And it does have boxing experience.

 

“We trained (Oscar) De La Hoya for nine fights, he was undefeated," Park said. "He went through some changes and he decided no longer to use our program. He then lost four fights. He didn't do any weight training, he changed everything. So I think the proof is in the pudding at the risk of sounding conceited."

 

Fernando Beltran, who represents both Morales and Castillo, is impressed enough by what he's seen that he would recommend that Castillo work with this organization.

 

“Absolutely," he states, "because Jose Luis Castillo is not going to fight until January. So I don't want him to be resting and gain so much weight."

 

Morales said at the presser that his battles versus the scales were adversely affecting his recent performances in the ring.

 

“We always have a hard time anyways getting into that weight division. So it’s always been tough, but I think we're well prepared now. I think it's going to be one of those times that we're really well prepared to go inside and do our work."

 

While Velocity has built up his white-fibers, there's never been a need to build up his heart and courage. But with his recent skid, he knows that for the first time in his storied career, he is being severely doubted.

 

"There's been so much talk from their side," said Morales of Pacquiao and his team, "about how I'm done, I'm going to retire and all that, and I think people hear that and maybe (they think), 'he is done.' But I know I'm not. I know that this is a great opportunity for me to show everybody what I can do."

[greenarrow]

‘We’ll get Erik before the sixth,’ says Roach

 

 

Inquirer

Last updated 05:40am (Mla time) 10/19/2006

 

Published on Page A20 of the October 19, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

AS FAR AS Freddie Roach is concerned, Erik Morales is going down no later than the halfway point of his match against Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.

 

“We’ll get him before the sixth round,” Roach told television network ABS-CBN last night.

 

That has been the American trainer’s stand since Day One of Pacquiao’s preparations for the third installment of his rivalry against the Mexican sensation, nicknamed “El Terrible.”

 

Last night, though, Roach sounded confident, anchoring his view perhaps on the progress Pacquiao has shown in training.

 

Pacquiao appeared on television looking trim and fit.

 

However, the General Santos City native told the station’s interviewer that he was going for a win in whatever way possible.

 

“I’m not really going for a knockout,” Pacquiao said in Filipino. “But if it will come, it will be a big bonus.”

 

Roach, however, said Morales is going to feel the sting of Pacquiao’s punches anew.

 

“Once he gets hit, he’ll start having flashbacks,” said Roach.

 

The American trainer was referring to the second match between the two superstar prizefighters.

 

Pacquiao won that bout by knocking out Morales for the first time in the Mexican’s illustrious career.

 

It was a fitting revenge for the Filipino, who lost the initial bout between two of the world’s best super featherweights right now.

 

Pacquiao and Morales square off anew on Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, in a card that has been dubbed, “The Grand Finale.” Francis Ochoa

 

 

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=27501

[greenarrow]

P4.8M MBenz for millionaire Pacquiao

By Abac Cordero

The Philippine Star 10/20/2006

 

There’s a new addition to Manny Pacquiao’s fleet of cars.

 

The 27-year-old Filipino boxer, whose love for billiards and cockfighting is matched only by his love for cars, showed up at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood last Monday driving his new pet.

 

It’s a 2007 Mercedes Benz SL550, which the native of Gen. Santos City reportedly purchased earlier this month. It’s the third vehicle he has acquired in the US while training for a big fight.

 

The all-black beauty, which has a tag price of $95,575 or roughly P4.8 million, is a two-door light sports car armed with a 5.4-liter V8 engine that could go 60 mph in only 5.4 seconds.

 

It’s the first Mercedes for the left-handed knockout artist who acquired a Lincoln Navigator in the US in 2004 before buying a more compact and stylish Porsche Cayene last year.

 

The Porsche, priced a little lower than the Mercedes, has been shipped to the Philippines more than a month ago, but has yet to be released by Customs. The tax alone runs up to close to P2 million.

 

While there’s always someone who can drive for him in the US, Pacquiao sometimes couldn’t help but take the driver’s seat like when he goes to church on Sundays.

 

Back home, Pacquiao moves around town in his huge Dodge van, which he reportedly bought for more than P2 million. He also has a 2006 Pajero and an older model Ford Expedition.

 

There are a couple more cars in the garage of his Gen. Santos City family residence.

 

Pacquiao is guaranteed $3 million or P150 million for his Nov. 18 match with Erik Morales in Las Vegas, and is bound to make even more if he wins this one.

 

By then, Pacquiao would probably look good in a Ferrari.

 

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610201605.htm

[greenarrow]

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

[tio piting]

Report from Doug Fischer (maxboxing.com)

 

PAC-CALVES

 

After DeLeon and Lazcano finished their workouts for the media, Manny Pacquiao, who is in training for his Nov. 18 rubbermatch with Erik Morales, got in the ring and worked the mitts with head trainer and Wild Card owner Freddie Roach.

 

The Pac-Monster has visibly filled out in his back and shoulder area and appeared to be a solid 140 pounds as he smacked the mitts with is usual intensity. He’s obviously grown into the junior lightweight division but he looks as fast as he did at 122 pounds.

 

What really caught my eye, however, were Manny’s calves. They are freakin’ HUGE! I mean, they were always bulked out like a lot of Asian boxers, but somehow they’ve actually gotten bigger. They must be 15% of his body weight.

[tio piting]

excerpts from Doug Fischer's Oct. 20, 2006 mailbag (maxboxing.com) - as follow-up to above post

 

...Watched Pac Man at Wild Card last week and was really impressed with his legs as you were, never saw anything like that except on a Grand piano....Eric better come up with something new or Manny will stop him. I believe Morales has had too many wars and this may be his Waterloo. Watched Manny shadow box and as said looks fantastic, he could slow his punches down a little and let them sink in instead of pulling back so fast! Sincerely – Tommy Noel

 

....I agree with your assessment of the Pacquiao-Morales rubber match. At this point in his career, I think the only thing Morales can do is be stubborn – and by that I mean he’ll simply refuse to be knocked out early in the fight. He’ll take an even worse beating by going rounds with the Pac-Monster, but that’s the way it’s got to be for a lot of these old, proud warriors. I liken it to a death-row inmate who dehydrates himself for weeks prior to his electric chair sentence. By drying himself out, it takes a couple jolts on the chair to get rid of him. It’s sort of his last “f__k you” to the prison authorities and to society, however, he gets torched and tortured in the process. (Damn, that was a morbid-ass analogy, wasn’t it?)

[tio piting]

yet another excerpt from D. Fischer's mailbag (Oct.20 - maxboxing.com)

 

PAC-CALVES

 

yo dougie,

just wanted to comment on my observation on the pac-monster's calves. i thought they were huge the first time i saw him train which was the 1st morales fight. on tv it doesnt look so huge though. anyways how is his sparring going. keep up the good work and if i see you or sk in vegas im'a say what up. – erik from sd

 

Pacquiao is just now starting his real sparring, so I can’t really give you a report on that part of his training at this time. But his calves! Dude, they are unreal! I’m serious. It looks like he’s got crushed-up bricks under his skin on the back of his legs. For an accurate mental picture of the Filipino icon’s calves, just imagine Popeye’s forearms.

[greenarrow]

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.

 

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610221602.htm

[coldfussion]

I've went malling this weekend, while walking around something caught my attention. There is something posted in front of the mall...the much awaited re-match of Pacman and El Terible. they will be shown in the cinemas LIVE...

 

But here's the catch the ticket has a tag price of 500 pesos....On their second encounter the ticket was just sol for 300 pesos...if my math is still accurate they raised the price of the ticket by 60%...

 

I want to watch the fight live without the stupid commercial breaks but the price is too much for ordinary pinoys like myself...

[jaymz]

Morales has to lose 12lbs while Manny has to lose only 5lbs. Morales has to work harder in less than a month. Could that be detrimental in Erik's performance come Nov. 18? If so, Manny can destroy him worse than their last match.