LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales are ready for the third round, and both fighters believe it will be the best one yet.
Just observe the grin on Pacquiao’s face as he stepped on the scale with hundreds of Filipino fans cheering his name Friday – or watch Morales’ swell of pride as he hears Mexican fans chanting his name at the same weigh-in. Two of the world’s most entertaining fighters both believe they’re about to make history tonight.
After splitting two thrilling matches in the previous 20 months, the junior lightweights will complete one of boxing’s better trilogies in recent years in front of a sellout Las Vegas crowd. The pay-per-view audience will stretch from Manila to Mexico City, with more than 1 million purchases.
Pacquiao’s reputation and Morales’ career probably hang on the outcome of a much-anticipated return to the ring for two classic brawlers who inspire worship in their native lands – and in southern Nevada, where their 130-pound matchup is the toughest ticket in town.
Pacquiao (42-3-2, 32 knockouts) is confident he can keep his meteoric career on the rise with a second straight victory over Morales (48-4, 34 knockouts), the famed slugger whose first trilogy, with Marco Antonio Barrera, already has a place in boxing history.
“I’m not going to promise I’m going to knock him out, but I’m doing my best to make people happy,” said Pacquiao, who sparred 150 rounds during training.
Morales won the fighters’ first bout with a unanimous decision in March 2005, surprising Pacquiao with his tenacity and pride.
In the rematch 10 months ago in Las Vegas, Pacquiao battered Morales with waves of punches, bruising his face and body before dropping him twice in the 10th round for the first technical knockout loss of Morales’ career.
Both fighters weighed in at exactly 129 pounds Friday.
Pacquiao is guaranteed $3 million, while Morales will make at least $2.75 million.
