Erik Morales has some friendly advice for Manny Pacquiao who faces WBC lightweight champion David Diaz in Las Vegas on June 28.
?Train hard,? he said. ?Extend your training because if you?re up against a fighter who?s prepared to go the distance, you might find it difficult to stay strong.?
Morales, the last fighter to beat Pacquiao, gave the advice during TV executive Manny Viray?s recent visit to the Mexican?s home in Chula Visa, San Diego. Viray?s visit was arranged by sportsman Hermie Esguerra who is Morales? close friend.
Morales? advice was meant for a possible third Pacquiao fight against Juan Manuel Marquez but it could also be useful food for thought in the Filipino icon?s coming bout against the durable Diaz. Last year, Diaz survived a first round knockdown to carve out a unanimous 12-round decision over Morales in Chicago.
Pacquiao is expected to train at least six weeks for Diaz at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
Morales said in his mind, there was no question Pacquiao deserved the decision over Marquez in their rematch last month.
?It was a close fight but Manny clearly won,? said Morales. ?Manny knocked down Marquez and that made the difference. Marquez and his fans thought he won. You can?t stop people from disagreeing with the decision. But we must understand that judges see things some people don?t. They see different angles. They?re in the best position to decide who won.? Morales cautioned Pacquiao not to be overconfident and to take his training more seriously.
?If there?s a third fight between Manny and Marquez, it will be close again and could go either way because they?re so evenly matched,? said Morales. ?I just think Manny should train harder because Marquez gets stronger the longer the fight. Manny could get into problems if it goes 12 rounds. But as long as Manny is focused on his training, he?ll win again.?
Morales was one of a few Mexicans who predicted Pacquiao would beat Marquez on points in their rematch.
As for his own career, Morales said he?s not done. He?s determined to make a comeback as a lightweight next year. Although his weight has ballooned, Morales said he?ll be comfortable fighting at 135 pounds.
?I want to take a rest for two years before fighting again,? said Morales. ?It?s not uncommon for fighters to take a rest then come back. Some legendary Mexican fighters, like Julio Cesar Chavez, have done that to prolong their careers.?
Chavez fought only once in 2000, took a year off, came back to knock out Terry Thomas, rested two years then returned to stop Willy Wise at the age of 41. He eventually retired with a 107-6-2 record at 43 after losing to Grover Wiley in 2003, 23 years after turning pro.
Morales, 31, said he?s not ready to hang up his gloves despite losing his last four outings, five of his last six.
Morales was invited by Esguerra to visit Manila next month.
?Erik and I want to cultivate the friendship between Mexicans and Filipinos through the rivalry in boxing,? said Esguerra yesterday. ?I?ve spoken to Manny (Pacquiao), Wakee (Salud) and (Games and Amusements Board) chairman (Eric) Buhain about this and we?re conceptualizing a format that will have a counterpart in Mexico. I hope Erik has the time to come over so we could talk about this project.?
Morales, whose wife Andrea gave birth to their second child late last year, now reports everyday at the Tijuana Municipal Hall for his job as sports director in his hometown. He leaves his San Diego home at 9 a.m. to take the 15-minute drive to his Tijuana office across the border.
?Erik is busy working with the youth in Tijuana,? said Viray. ?He?s promoting all sports, particularly boxing, as sports director. But he also has his private business. He?s involved in recycling garbage and sanitary landfill. Aside from that, he has his stable of boxers and wrestlers whom he promotes all over Mexico. More than anything, what he?s enjoying while taking a rest from boxing is his life as a family man.?
Morales? dream is to become the first Mexican fighter to win four titles in different divisions. It?s the goal that will bring him back to the ring next year.
