WITH BOXING superstar Manny Pacquiao close to becoming an overwhelming favorite in his upcoming bout, it will now be all up to the Filipino boxer himself whether he can translate this into victory come the fight night.
The 27-year-old Pacquiao is scheduled to meet Mexican icon Erik Morales on Jan. 21 in a 12-round superfeatherweight rematch to be held at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In another welcome development for Team Pacquiao, Jose Luis “Maestro” Lopez is somewhat feeling the heat of probably the biggest break of his career as a trainer now that he is working with one of Mexico’s legendary boxers.
The 57-year-old Lopez replaces Morales’ father Jose after the Mexican warrior’s disappointing loss to Zahir Raheem last September.
In Morales’ own website, Lopez admitted that his tenure as trainer for Morales will all depend on their performance versus Pacquiao.
With a little over a month before the fight, Lopez said that he has yet to watch tapes of Pacquiao’s previous fights and study whatever inputs he can throw in for him to be a factor for the Mexican superstar.
The 29-year-old Morales, currently holding camp in Queretaro, has tapped southpaw boxers who has been simulating Pacquiao’s, rugged on-rush style, apart from working on his strength and speed.
Morales, a unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao in their first encounter last March, will commence work out on Jan. 17.
On the other hand, Pacquiao still maintains a potent rapport with celebrated American trainer Freddie Roach as they are again working together at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood to devise their strategies.
After being installed as a 7-5 betting favorite by Wynn Sportsbook, Pacquiao also leads Morales in HBO’s online poll on who the fans think will win the grudge rematch.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Rey ‘BoomBoom’ Bautista leaves for El Cajon, California today where he is set to rumble with Mexican warrior Gerardo Espinoza in an 8-round bout in a telefuturatelevised promotion this weekend at the Sycuan Casino.
Bautista has been training at the Wild Card Gym since Dec. 4 and will be joined by Roach, conditioning coach Justin Fortune, local trainer Edito Villamor, American agent Mike Koncz and benefactor Tony Aldeguer.
