?I have shocked the world once again,? promoter Murad Muhammad told Fightnews.com Wednesday. ?I’ve been saying there’s only three promoters in this country and outside the country that create these events: Arum, King and myself.
Muhammad is referring to the March 19 pay-per-view clash between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales. Murad explained how the superfight came together virtually overnight.
?We were in a very precarious position because we owed it to HBO, we owed it to our viewing audience and we gave our commitment that on the 26th of February [Juan Manuel] Marquez was going to meet Pacquiao. For whatever reason, Marquez was misinformed that he could be paid much more money than was offered to him.
?I’m have not talked to him, but I believe out of ignorance, Marquez lost this fight. However, I can tell you that he’s in good shape now. He understands and is going to work [with us] in the future.
?But when I was sitting there with the old fox [Bob Arum], I knew what he was thinking and I pulled it out of his mind when I said to him, ?Let?s put Pacquiao against Erik Morales.? In a matter of seconds he said, ‘Let?s do it.’
?You got to understand, we didn’t even talk to our boxers. We didn’t have to talk to our boxers because I know Pacquiao don’t care for who he fights, he don’t care who gets in front of him, and likewise with Erik Morales. Erik Morales doesn’t care, and now Erik Morales knows and Pacquiao knows and both are ecstatic.
?Erik Morales believes he beat Antonio Barrera and the worst that should have happened was a draw. We believe that we beat Marquez, the worst that should have happened is we should have won. We will now fight each other.
?Erik Morales is going to prove to Antonio Barrera ?I don’t need you. I’m going to get the man that beat you?re a** in.? And Manny Pacquiao is saying to Marquez, ?Okay. I don’t need you and nor do I need Antonio Barrera who didn’t even call me out after he won the fight over Erik Morales.’
?Erik Morales is saying ?I’m going to get the best man that came from Asia to the shores of North America.? Manny Pacquiao is saying “I’m going to get the pound for pound Latino fighter out of Mexico, who is Erik Morales.?
?So on the March 19th at the MGM Grand, live on HBO, pay-per-view, Top Rank and M&M Sports will deliver one of the greatest little fights that was ever put together.?
