Las Vegas, NV?The stinging memory of last May?s controversial draw with Juan Manuel Marquez still haunts Manny Pacquiao just as when he arrived Monday to a red carpet welcome at the MGM Grand here. He promised to change all of that this time around.
When he faces Mexican superstar Erik Morales on Saturday in front of an expected sellout crowd of 15,000 including millions around the world simultaneously watching on pay-per-view, Pacquiao will make sure this time that he will emerge clear winner.
During last year?s match with Marquez, the three judges made a mockery of themselves and of every logic in scoring as the three judges practically saw a different fight.
Nevada resident Burt Clements made the biggest booboo when he scored the match 113-113, a mistake he readily admitted afterwards. Clements should have scored the first round 10-6 owing to the fact that Pacquiao knocked down Marquez thrice. Clements scored it 10-7, which resulted in a split draw, denying Pacquiao the win.
Then there was Guy Jutras, the Canadian who saw Marquez clear winner, scored it 115-110, while another judge saw Pacquiao winning comfortably in a tight match, 115-110.
?Gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo sa laban na ito. Nag-train ako ng matagal para kay Morales at sisikapin kong bigyan ng karangalan ang aking mga kababayan, bansa at unang-una, ang Panginoon,? said Pacquiao, who rode on his Lincoln Navigator.
Pacquiao was met by his new managers Shelly Finkel, Nicholas Khan and Keith Davidson as well as dozens of fans and adoring kababayans even as the convoy of supporters from Manila and Los Angeles boarded of two Hummer trucks, a Ford Expedition, Ford Explorer, a Dodge Durango and Dodge Ram.
The members of Team Pacquiao included the Nazario clan, mediamen from Manila, friends and the Mayor of General Santos City, Pedro Acharon, fitting into the seven complimentary rooms given to Pacquiao, the main protagonist in ?Coming With Everything,? the most awaited super-featherweight bout of the year.
The other man on the other side of the ring, Morales, will arrive tomorrow on board a private jet from Mexico.
Las Vegas has been awash with gigantic billboards, posters and visual aids, with the MGM Grand promoting the event. It is here where Pacquiao has fought twice in the past including that sensational knockout win over Lehlo Ledwaba in the undercard of the De La Hoya-Castillejo fight.
As Pacquiao entered the MGM Grand, gigantic video screens flashed some highlights of his memorable wins over Marco Antonio Barrera, among many others.
Early Monday, Pacquiao closed camp by sparring for four rounds with Israel Vasquez, bringing his total to 161 rounds, a personal high.
?Ito na ang pinakamatagal kong paghahanda para sa isang laban. Handang-handa na ako may gloves man o wala,? said Pacquiao.
