Although the major boxing bodies have not sanctioned this Sunday’s mammoth confrontation between Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican hero Erik “El Terrible” Morales, fringe organization International Boxing Association (IBA) has boldly stepped up and announced that it has sanctioned the 12-round showdown.
Reports coming out of Las Vegas have it that the Filipino boxing superstar has already paid a sanction fee to the American-based IBA and that its representatives will be ringside for the fight.
If Pacquiao defeats Morales then he will be crowned IBA 130lbs champion. However, according to the boxing grapevineLas Vegas gossip, the IBA has chosen not to deal with Morales’ troubled promoters Top Rank, meaning the title remains vacant should Morales win. In fact, the IBA has already prematurely minted the championship belt for Pacquiao should the Filipino come out victorious this Sunday. Upon arrival in Las Vegas today after a long trip from Los Angeles, Pacquiao will go through final preparations for the fight at the IBA gym in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“A Fight of the Year’ candidate? We think so and we are honored Mr. Pacquiao would choose to fight for our title,” said a statement issued by the IBA.
Meanwhile, top heavyweight contender James “Lights Out” Toney yesterday told Boxingtalk that he has never been more impressed of Pacquiao’s preparation going into the biggest fight of his career this weekend against Morales.
Toney, who always plays the cheerleader role everytime Pacquiao accepts fans and visitors at the Wild Card Gym, is himself gearing up for a soon-to-be-announced bout with ex-heavyweight champ John Ruiz.
“I’m ready to do this right now. I’m anxious. I was watching Pacquiao get ready for his big fight next week and I’m jealous. I want to get in there and kick some *** take over the entire division,” Toney told Greg Leon.
