LAS VEGAS ? There is now a bad blood between the camps of Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales. It came so sudden but it was expected anyway.
Fernando Beltran, the trash-talking chief handler of Morales, took the dais during Wednesday?s news conference and struck a dagger into the heart of Manny Pacquiao.
An agitated Beltran howled: “I have read in the internet how the other camp like to take out Erik Morales in one round, two rounds or 12 rounds. Let me ask everyone of you here. Who has taken Erik Morales out in 49 fights? And if someone here who is looking to quit. Quit in a fight, it?s Manny Pacquiao not Erik Morales.”
Beltran cited Pacquiao?s title-losing effort in September 1999 in Nakhon Si Thammmarat, Thailand, when Medgoen 3K Battery dug a right to the dehydrated Filipino?s ribcage in the third round. Pacquiao failed to get up in time and Mexican referee Guadalupe Garcia counted him out, making the Thai the new World Boxing Council flyweight king.
“Once, he was hit with a body punch and was on the canvas and like other fighters, he didn?t want to continue fighting. Second, he was cut by Agapito Sanchez and he (Pacquiao) wanted to end the fight.”
Pacquiao?s foul-infested duel with the New York?based Dominican Republic native Agapito Sanchez in San Francisco in Nov. 2001 as the other prime example. Beltran claimed that Pacquiao wanted to quit against the dirty-fighting Sanchez in a fight that ended in a six-round split draw.
In his fight against Sanchez, Pacquiao went down due to the dirty tactics of his veteran rival and the referee had no choice but to stop the fight on the orders of the ring physician after examining a bad cut on Pacquiao?s right eyebrow.
“Erik Morales has been hurt, but Erik has continued to fight. He will always fight, one more round, two more rounds or whatever it takes to win. So let me tell you this. It?s disrespect for this guy to tell him that you will take Erik Morales out in one round or in two rounds.”
Then came Beltran?s knockout punch.
“So here?s a $100,000 (about R5.4 million) and put your money where your mouth is,” blurted Beltran to the amazement of those in attendance. But some were enraged.
There was no response on the part of Pacquiao?s group ? which has been retooled with the addition of a bunch of hangers-on from Los Angeles ? and the outspoken Beltran said later that he took it as a gesture of non-acceptance.
“When you say something like that, you have to respond right away. I don?t want other people to look for money to bet,” added Beltran.
Morales, who is more than two years older than his favored foe at 28, said he?s fully aware of what Pacquiao can do but is nevertheless unfazed.
“I knew he built up his confidence by fighting (Marco Antonio) Barrera and (Juan Manuel) Marquez, but I am a different fighter compared to the two. “Pacquiao carries a lot of power but I had great preparation for this fight and I am ready,” said Morales, who worked out later in the afternoon at the Top Rank Gym under the strict supervision of his handlers led by father and chief trainer Jose Morales.
Pacquiao did not engage himself in the heated exchange of words and just assured the Filipinos back home that he is more than ready to take on the challenge of becoming the first one to beat up Morales.
“Basta?t ipinapangako ko lang na bibigyan ko kayo ng magandang laban,” said Pacquiao, whose speech was filled with expression of thanks to those who made it possible for him to face Morales, nicknamed “El Terrible.”
“Just watch this fight. Don?t miss it because it?ll be a good fight,” Pacquiao added.
After promoter Bob Arum declared the affair over, Morales and Pacquiao faced each other and it became apparent that there?s really no huge advantage in terms of size. Morales is listed at 5-8.
Joining Pacquiao in the presidential table were his promoter Murad Muhammad, whose speech was so long the pro-Morales crowd jeered him several times, new manager Shelly Finkel, business manager Rod Nazario, trainer Freddie Roach and lawyers working for the fighter, Keith Davidson and Nick Khan.
Born and bred in Tijuana, Morales goes into the scheduled 12-rounder armed with a 47-2-0 win-loss-draw card with 34 knockouts.
Pacquiao, the pride and joy of General Santos City, brings to the table a 39-2-2 ledger with 31 wins inside the distance.
The next time the two will meet again will be during the official weigh in set Friday afternoon (Saturday morning in Manila) at the Grand Garden Arena.
The fight takes place at 9 p.m. Saturday (12 noon Sunday in Manila) when it is expected that the entire nation will be glued to the TV sets.
