LOS ANGELES — If things go on as planned, Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales are in for a big rematch on Jan. 21 in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao made this announcement before a couple of scribes Sunday (Monday in Manila) as he bared some major details of the fight contract that was signed as early as July.
Under the contract, the highly-awaited rematch would be held at the Thomas and Mack Center inside the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus, the home of the Runnin’ Rebels in the NCAA.
And Pacquiao’s purse?
Just the same: A whopping $1.75 million or roughly P98 million. It was the same amount the native of Gen. Santos City received when he fought the crafty Mexican for the first time last March 19.
Morales is expected to receive a purse close to Pacquiao’s – probably even more.
Pacquiao lost the classic 12-round battle with Morales at the MGM Grand after suffering a deep cut on his right eyebrow midway through the fifth round.
The Filipino held on the rest of the way. Observers believe that if not for the cut, caused by a head butt that was ruled by referee Joe Cortez as a good punch, the fight could have gone the other way.
Pacquiao and Morales are both in the closing stages of their training for a Sept. 10 fight against separate opponents – Mexican Hector Velasquez and American Zahir Raheem, respectively.
Pacquiao has logged in 91 rounds of sparring as of Saturday at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, and intends to do at least three more in his final sparring day Monday (Tuesday in Manila).
Pacquiao went for a 30-minute jog at the Griffith Park at 5:30 a.m. Sunday then heard Mass at the Christ the King Church at 9 o’clock. He stayed in his apartment the rest of the day.
Pacquiao sparred 10 rounds against three different boxers Saturday, still finishing strong and looking ready for more. He now weighs 131 lbs, just a shade over the 130 lb limit for the coming bout set at the Staples Center in downtown LA.
After he closes his final sparring, Pacquiao plans to stay inside his apartment unit at the plush La Palazzo until Wednesday – no visitors, no phone calls.
He said he would only leave his nest on Thursday for the 11 a.m. press conference and Friday’s 3 p.m. weigh-in.
“Dito lang ako sa loob ng apartment hanggang Wednesday para mas focused,” said Pacquiao, looking even more determined in training as compared to his previous fights.
When he’s home, Pacquiao stays mostly inside his room where balikbayan boxes of Team Pacquiao apparel are stacked in one corner. He spends time playing his $2,000 Taylor guitar or just watching TV.
