LAS VEGAS ? It is only on paper that Erik Morales is bigger than Manny Pacquiao. Or so it seems.
In Wednesday?s official press conference of their March 19 battle here, the two boxers came face-to-face and stood side-by-side, and the Mexican appeared to stand just a shade taller than the Filipino ? and not two inches taller as advertised.
“I really don?t think Erik is that tall. But he knows how to fight tall. Because if he?s five-foot-eight, then I?m six-foot-one,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao?s American trainer, who himself is no taller than 5?8.”
At 5-foot-6, Pacquiao is supposed to give two inches away against Morales. But during the press conference, the Filipino knockout artist got a good chance to size up his opponent.
“Okay lang ako sa kanya. Okay lang,” he said on his way out.
When Morales planed in from Mexico City Tuesday evening, he looked frail and weak. Unconfirmed reports say he?s had great difficulty trimming down from as much as 144 pounds to the limit of 130.The official weigh-in is set 3:30 p.m. Friday (Las Vegas time).
Morales is also “taller” as their fight records would show. He has fought 49 times in 12 years as a pro and has a ring record of 37 wins and two losses (both against reigning champion Marco Antonio Barrera) with 34 knockouts. He is 28 years old.
Pacquiao has fought 43 times in 10 years as a pro and has a ring record of 39 wins, two losses and two draws with 30 knockouts. He is 26 years old.
Again, as advertised, Morales enjoys a big edge in reach ? 72 inches as against Pacquiao?s 67.
But now, does size really matter?
For Pacquiao, all that matters is a big fighting heart.
