LAS VEGAS (AP) – The weight of a country is riding on his slight shoulders, though it’s hard to tell from Manny Pacquiao’s demeanor.
Some 30 million of his 80 million countrymen in the Philippines are expected to watch on live television when he meets Erik Morales on Saturday night in a showdown of 130-pound sluggers.
The president’s husband will be ringside, and a number of congressmen are skipping a special session of the country’s House of Representatives so they can travel to Las Vegas to root their hero on.
Expectations are sky high, but Pacquiao remains affable, confident and seemingly self assured going into the biggest fight of his life.
“I feel happy, especially when I bring the honor to my country,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao (39-2-2, 30 knockouts) moves up in weight to fight Morales, a hard-hitting former champion, in a scheduled 12-round fight that isn’t for any major belts but is one of the most attractive junior lightweight fights in recent times.
Both boxers love to trade punches and both can be hit. Both also have rabid fan bases, with Pacquiao the most popular athlete in the Philippines and Morales the favorite of Tijuana and most of Mexico.
“I know he is a warrior,” Morales (47-2, 34 knockouts) said. “People from his country are very strong people. But a Mexican never retreats. We’re going to be right in front of him all night.”
The fight is already a hit at the MGM Grand hotel-casino, where more than 12,000 tickets had been sold a few days before the bout. It will be televised on pay-per-view (HBO) with the main event beginning about 11 p.m. EST.
Pacquiao is a slight favorite, though he’s fighting for the first time at 130 pounds in a pro career that began a decade ago at 106 pounds. Pacquiao trainer, Freddie Roach, said the move up from 126 pounds shouldn’t be a problem because his fighter can bring his punch with him.
“He’s so ripped, not an ounce of body fat. He gained five pounds, all in muscle,” Roach said. “He’s a lot stronger than the rest of these 130-pounders out there.”
Pacquiao’s biggest win came in November 2003 when he stopped Morales’ arch rival, Marco Antonio Barrera, in the 11th round of their featherweight fight. Morales has fought Barrera three times, winning one and losing two, including a close majority decision in their last fight Nov. 27.
Pacquiao, though, caught Barrera at a time when there were questions about a metal plate inserted in his head. The two fights Morales lost to Barrera were the only two losses of his career, but at the age of 28 he’s been in some wars and some question whether they have taken a toll on him.
“He’s still strong and he’s still good,” Pacquiao said. “I need to win this fight. This is my time.”
Pacquiao trained for the fight in Roach’s gym in Los Angeles, where his spirited training sessions became popular among members of the local Filipino community. Roach said he had to stop holding weekday open sessions because people were filling up all the parking spots in the strip mall where the gym is located and other merchants were complaining.
“I’ve never seen anyone draw like Manny except for Mike Tyson,” said Roach, who used to train Tyson. “It’s unbelievable the people coming in that just wanted to watch him train.”
Though Pacquiao is a power puncher, Morales has never been legitimately knocked down in his career and is far more experienced in big title fights. He has held titles at 122, 126 and 130 pounds and is 15-2 in title fights.
“Morales is still a very good fighter. He’s a tough guy with a lot of heart,” Roach said. “But speed will be the difference. Speed is something you can’t teach. I’ve seen guys win world titles with great speed, and Manny has that edge.”
