FIVE NOTED boxing personalities all expressed the belief that Manny Pacquiao is going to steamroll past Mexican Erik Morales when they collide on March 19 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Of the five, it was the lone lady who went the extra mile in predicting that the Filipino southpaw would emerge victorious by knockout “within five rounds,” said promoter-manager Liza Elorde, daughter-in-law of the late-great world junior lightweight champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.
Apart from Elorde, those asked to comment on the HBO Pay-Per-View bout at the 15,000-seat Grand Garden Arena, are matchmaker Jun Sarreal and Cebu fight figures Tony Aldeguer, Sammy Gello-ani and Wakee Salud.
“Pacquiao will have a better chance of winning against Morales compared to a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. If it goes beyond five rounds, it?s anybody?s ballgame,” added Liza, married to Johhny Elorde.
Marquez was supposed to battle Pacquiao on Feb. 26, but he was taken out of the picture after demanding that he be paid more.
The four men asked by the Bulletin to share their views all favored Pacquiao, but were all the same in saying that Morales, despite losing to Marco Antonio Barrera late last year, remains a livewire foe.
Sarreal, son of Lope Sarreal, set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in June, thinks Pacquiao will have to be in razor-sharp form to win against a classy fighter like Morales.
“But since he has over two months to prepare, Manny can do it,” said Sarreal. “But I want to make clear that Morales cannot be taken lightly even if he is coming off a loss to Barrera.”
“Manny holds the edge in power. But (the fact that Pacquiao is going up in weight) could offset that power. Manny is also faster than Morales, but Erik is skillful so it?s going to be interesting fight, although my sentiment of course is on Pacquiao,” butted in Aldeguer, whose training headquarters is former home to ex-world champions Gerry Pe?alosa, Joma Gamboa and Malcolm Tu?acao, and current base to rising stars Z Gorres and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista.
Gello-ani, Aldeguer?s trusted assistant, also shared the view of his boss, but added another dimension to the intriguing match-up.
“Morales had admitted before that Barrera was the biggest puncher he had faced before. Now how much more with Pacquiao who had beaten Barrera.”
Gello-ani added: “Morales is a tremendous puncher, but his career could be shortened if he allow himself to be an easy target.”
Salud, another well-known personality from the Queen City, who handles Oriental welterweight champion Rev Santillan and world No. 1 minimumweight Eriberto Gejon, can?t wait to see the fight.
“I am so excited upon hearing that (the fight) is a done deal,” said Salud. “It?s not going to be easy for Pacquiao because of Morales? experience, but I still believe that he (Pacquiao) has the advantage in punching power.”
