Now the speculation begins.
Freddie Roach said recently he suspects Juan Manuel Marquez priced himself out of a rematch against Manny Pacquiao to save himself from another beating and losing his International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association featherweight titles.
Promoter Bob Arum struck Marquez out of the equation when the Mexican demanded a purse higher than Pacquiao?s guaranteed $900,000 paycheck and signed up Erik Morales as replacement.
The switch worked to Pacquiao?s favor. He would?ve crammed six weeks of training if the Marquez rematch proceeded as scheduled on Feb. 26. With Morales, Pacquiao has a few more weeks to train for the March 19 duel.
No titles will be at stake when Pacquiao and Morales slug it out. But in the business of professional boxing, titles don?t bring in the cash?the fighters do. That?s why Pacquiao is taking home $1.75 Million plus a share of the pay-per-view receipts to take on Morales who?s much more popular than Marquez.
Roach said Morales is a more exciting opponent for Pacquiao than Marquez.
“I think the styles are going to make a better fight than the Marquez fight,” said Roach, quoted in Professional Boxing Update (Jan. 20, 2005). “Marquez is more of a counter-puncher while Morales will fight you and exchange with you. So it makes it a lot better fight.”
“I believe Marquez priced himself out of the fight. So maybe, it?s a nice way of saying he didn?t want to fight Manny again.”
As for Morales, he can?t wait to prove himself against his tormentor Marco Antonio Barrera?s tormentor.
“I had three great fights last year,” said Morales referring to his wins over Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez and the loss to Barrera on points. “It didn?t finalize the way I had hoped it to but I?m very satisfied with my performance. I didn?t want to take anyone easy coming back. I think this will be a great explosive fight. After this fight, everyone is going to wonder who Barrera is. I?m going to take care of my business and forget him.”
Pacquiao has been installed a 6-5 favorite by Las Vegas oddsmakers even if Morales has a five-inch reach and two-inch height advantage. Art Anteris of Station Casinos also picked Pacquiao, 7-5. Pacquiao is making his debut as a superfeatherweight and the jump to the 130-pound division may diminish his power but that doesn?t seem to faze bookmakers.
Arum said he expects ticket and per-per-view sales to hit the roof.
“This smells like it?s going to do tremendous business because Morales versus Barrera did big but it was two Mexicans,” said Arum. “I think a Filipino and a Mexican brings another element to it because there are over two million Filipinos in Southern California.”
Mark Taffet of HBO pay-per-view said, “As they did in 2004, Morales and Pacquiao continue to participate in some of the sport?s most exciting and compelling matchups. This should be a great event for pay-per-view boxing fans.”
Coming off a bitter loss to Barrera, Morales is determined to dispose of Pacquiao like the Filipino disposed of Barrera. He postponed an invasion of the lightweight class to fight Pacquiao. Morales has lost only twice in his career and Barrera dealt both setbacks.
Morales, 28, began boxing when he was five. His father Jose Morales Damian was a title contender in the 1970s and fought as Olivaritos, a nickname that was given because of his friendship with and likeness to the legendary Ruben Olivares. At 12, Morales was already sparring with rated contenders Miguel Martinez, Fernando Martinez and Hugo Torres. At 16, his sparring partners included Lupe Pintor, Miguel Angel Gonzalez and Chico Valenzuela who once floored Oscar de la Hoya.
Morales won 181 amateur fights then turned pro in 1993.
“As a champion, Erik continues to impress everyone,” said Arum. “Each time, he willingly fights a more difficult opponent and boxes with skill and confidence. He has the best power I?ve seen in this division for years.”
But Morales may not be as durable as he once was because of the wear and tear of a long career. His last three outings went the distance, an apparent indication of his inability to put away opponents.
In contrast, only one of Pacquiao?s last 21 fights went the full route.
Morales has fought one Filipino so far. In 1999, he stopped Reynante Jamili in six. Over 10,000 fans watched the carnage at the Toreo de Tijuana as Morales landed a brutal overhand right that staggered Jamili, prompting the referee to step in.
