Trainer Freddie Roach didn’t see the same Manny Pacquiao when he fought Erik Morales.
Morales, a Mexican legend, won a unanimous decision over Pacquiao on March 19 in one of the year’s most thrilling fights. Immediately, there was talk of a rematch.
“It was a great fight, but I didn’t think [Pacquiao] fought his best fight,” Roach said. “After the first round, our game plan was out the window, and Manny fought on pure guts.”
On Saturday, Morales (48-2, 34 KOs) and Pacquiao (39-3-2, 30 KOs) will step back in the ring in separate fights at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. HBO will televise. Both fighters are concentrating on their immediate opponents, but the focus remains on an impending rematch, which could come by year’s end.
“Some people feel that Pacquiao was not at his best when I beat him, but I think he was,” said Morales, who will face Zahir Raheem (26-1, 16 KOs) for the World Boxing Council international lightweight title. “But if there are some doubts about my victory last spring, I will erase them in a second fight. I thought I won clearly the first time and will do so again.”
Pacquiao said repeatedly during a conference call he is focused on Hector Velasquez (42-10-2, 31 KOs) and their WBC international super featherweight bout, but when asked about going the distance, he tipped his hand.
“I think that will help my experience and stamina for a Morales rematch,” he said.
Nothing overlooked
Antonio Tarver (23-3, 18 KOs) knows he’ll get the best of Roy Jones Jr. (49-3, 38 KOs) when the two meet in a crucial rubber match Oct.1 on HBO pay-per-view.
“We don’t want to leave no stones unturned,” Tarver said. “We’re remaining focused. People say that Roy’s not himself. Well, I’m not gonna make the mistake of just relaxing and allowing this guy to even have a chance. What we’re doing now is removing any remote possibility of luck. And the only way we can do that is to work hard, and come prepared for anything and be ready to face the best Roy Jones ever.”
Tarver has one asset in trainer Buddy McGirt, who also helped Arturo Gatti prepare for a rubber match with Micky Ward.
“You’ve really got to prepare for the best of that guy,” McGirt said. “You’ve got to put in your mind that this guy is laying it all on the line. They put it on the line before, but sometimes they try to dig deeper because they know this is it.”
Replacement named
World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champ Miguel Cotto (24-0, 20 KOs) will face No.1 challenger Ricardo Torres (28-0, 26 KOs) on Sept. 24. Torres replaces Gianluca Branco, who was injured during training. HBO will televise, along with an intriguing heavyweight bout between Wladimir Klitschko (44-3, 40 KOs) and Samuel Peter (24-0, 21 KOs).
Briefly
Heavyweight James Toney (68-4-2, 43 KOs) returns to the ring Oct.1 to face Dominick Guinn (25-2-1, 18 KOs) on Showtime.
Kassim Ouma (21-2-1, 13 KOs) will also be back Oct.13 against Alfredo Cuevas (25-7-1, 17 KOs). HBO Latino will televise.
