Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales will be in the same ring tonight, but they will be featured in different bouts at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.
Morales will take on once-beaten Zahir Raheem in the main event, while Pacquiao will take on former world title challenger Hector Velasquez.
Both bouts will headline a seven-bout “Double Trouble” card, presented by Top Rank. The bouts will be televised on HBO’s World Championship Boxing.
Morales and Pacquiao are looking towards fighting in January should both fighters come out victorious on Saturday night. Fight fans were treated to a highlight reel fight in March in Las Vegas when Morales won a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over the popular Filipino fighter.
Morales, (48-2, 34 KO’s) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, is a three-time world champion who began hi professional career over 12 years ago. The son of a former fighter who now trains him, Morales has become one of the more popular and talented fighters from Mexico.
His legendary and ground-breaking three bouts against Marco Antonio Barrera have not only increased his popularity, but has also shown his boxing abilities in the ring.
A heavy-hitter from his earlier days in the ring, Morales has been respected as one who could outbox his opponents as well. His last three victories have gone to the scorecards.
Morales first became a world champion when he defeated longtime champion Daniel Zaragoza for the WBC Super Bantamweight title in 1997.
This will be Morales’ fifth fight at STAPLES Center, where he is undefeated in four previous fights.
Raheem, (26-1, 16 KO’s) from Tulsa, OK, is coming off a sixth round stoppage over Carlos Quintana in the sixth round in Puerto Rico.
Before this bout, Raheem’s biggest bout was a controversial 12 round decision loss to Rocky Juarez. Raheem seemed to fight both Juarez and the referee during the bout.
Raheem has won his last five bouts in a row by knockout. He hopes to defeat Morales by knockout or by decision.
Should Morales defeat Raheem, a bout with Pacquiao in Las Vegas would bring the same if not more interest for their bout.
Pacquiao, (39-3-2, 31 KO’s) from Labangal, General Santos City, Philippines, went five and a half years between losses. Prior to his loss to Morales, Pacquiao had not lost in 15 bouts.
Pacquiao first won his first title in 1998 when he defeated Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC Flyweight title. Pacquiao would lose the title the following year, but it would not be the last time he would have a world title around his waist.
Pacquiao would win the IBF Super Bantamweight world title when he defeated South African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001.
Like Morales, he also defeated Marco Antonio Barrera in what would be at the time his most career-defining fight.
Velasquez, (42-10-2, 31 KO’s) from Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, has won his last five bouts in a row, four of them by knockout.
Velasquez won a belt in 2000, knocking out Jesse Magana in the seventh round to win the IBA Featherweight title.
Having lost to former world champion Kevin Kelley in 1999, Velasquez has scored important victories over former world champion Guty Espadas and most recently, Marcos Licona.
In another big fight on the card, Eric Ortiz will defend his WBC Light Flyweight title against undefeated challenger Brian Viloria.
Ortiz, (24-4-1, 16 KO’s) from Mexico City, DF, Mexico, is coming off a seventh round knockout over Jose Antonio Aguirre in March.
Ortiz has come a long way from losing three bouts within his first seven bouts to accomplishing a dream most boxers have of winning a world title.
Viloria, (17-0, 11 KO’s) from Honolulu, HI, returns to the scene of his last fight when he knocked out Ruben Contreras in the sixth round in May. Contreras would fall into a coma, but came out of it in satisfactory condition.
Viloria is also an NABF Flyweight titleholder.
In other bouts, – Undefeated Filipino Rey Bautista (16-0, 12 KO’s) will face Felix Flores Murillo in an eight round Bantamweight bout.
– Undefeated Urbano Antillon (15-0, 10 KO’s) will take on Genaro Trazcanos (21-7-1, 12 KO’s) in an eight round Lightweight bout.
– Undefeated 2004 Olympian Vanes Martirosyan (3-0, 1 KO) will face Gerardo Prieto (4-2-1) in a six round bout.
– Lightweight David Rodela will take on Jose Montoya in a four round bout.
Tickets are still available and a huge walkup crowd is expected. Tickets are valued at $300, $200, $100, $50, and $25. To ensure tickets, contact STAPLES Center or purchase tickets at Ticketmaster outlets. If available, you can still purchase tickets at the STAPLES Center box office the day of the fight.
Doors open at 4PM, with first bell scheduled at 4:30 local time.
Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, and Harold Lederman will call the action live for HBO’s World Championship Boxing. The HBO Telecast is scheduled to air live at 9:45PM ET/ 6:45PM PT.
