LAS VEGAS?When Manny Pacquiao slept at 9 p.m. last night, he took care of every little distraction that may come his way including clamors from countless friends, family and VIPs for free tickets to his March 19 fight with Erik Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena here.
Pacquiao will be shelling out at least $15,000 worth of tickets including several $400 ringside seats to his closest benefactors and supporters who will watch and cheer him in battle against the Mexican legend with a nom de guerre ?El Terrible.?
That?s the least of his worries as Pacquiao is expected to breeze through in today?s scheduled weigh-in at 3 p.m.. The pride of General Santos City unofficially tipped the scales at exactly 130 pounds, the super-featherweight limit, after doing the last of his punch-mitts workout.
With trainer Freddie Roach looking at every detail, Pacquiao simulated killer moves that he has prepared to unleash on Saturday. Helping the 26-year-old Pacquiao on the mitts was conditioning coach Justin Fortune, who also contributed some never-been-seen combinations.
?Good night,? said Pacquiao, grinning, after delivering a thunderous blow, the sound of which boomed around Dean Chance?s private gym in the outskirts of this neon city. Everyone present looked at each other and agreed that such a killer punch, when it hits the previously granite-chinned Morales, could send someone to la-la land.
Pacquiao then drove to a medical clinic to conduct a medical and visual check-up after he was informed that the California Athletic State Commission has lost his medical records and has failed to forward it to the sanctioning Nevada Athletic State Commission.
California commissioner Dean Lohaus was apologetic for the mistake even as rumors have been peddled by insecure individuals, including wild insinuations that Roach has been seen in the office of Top Rank honcho Bob Arum, speculating that a double-cross on Pacquiao is shaping up.
Roach was also upset about reports that he doesn?t know how to tape hands and has been blamed for Pacquiao?s injured left hand when he knocked down Juan Manuel Marquez thrice in the first round last year.
Roach completely denied the rumor which is being spread by disgruntled individuals who have interest in Pacquiao, the first Filipino athlete to perform on pay-per-view, the price of which is at $44.95 per household.
Pacquiao then ate a half-meal of meat and fish, met with TV personality Korina Sanchez who hosted a dinner buffet, and had to be whisked away from adoring fans and supporters who once again lined themselves up for a mini photo session and autograph signing. A TV crew, however, was able to sneak in with an ambush interview.
?I hope they will understand that I can not be disturbed this time because I have to find peace and quiet in preparation for my big and important fight with Morales,? said Pacquiao.
The Philippine boxing idol continued to rise as the slight favorite for this fight despite being the smaller guy and the newer kid on the super-featherweight block, having fought as a featherweight only in his last two fights.
From being the ?130 favorite two days ago, Pacquiao became ?135 a day later. As noontime of March 17, Pacquiao registered as the ?140 favorite even as Morales turned +120.
In order to win a $100 bet in the MGM Sports book, a person must put in a $140 capital, if he wants to bet on a Pacquiao sure-win. A $100 bet on Morales would win $120, on the contrary.
Other propositions include a +250 result for a Morales win by knockout, a +300 proposition for a Morales win by decision, +180 Pacquiao win by knockout, +300 Pacquiao win by decision. A draw pays $15 to every $1 bet.
It is +105 should somebody bets on seeing a decision while a ?125 proposition goes when the battle won?t go the full route.
