Erik Morales had already made his “Grand Entrance” in the Wynn Resort and Casino, but that didn’t stop him from being asked a few more questions. “El Terrible” was nabbed near the elevators and the Mexican warrior, while in a hurry, graciously took his time to answer a few rapid-fire questions thrown his way. Here is what the multiple-weight class champ had to say:
Hey Erik, how did training camp go? How are you feeling right now? I am feeling good; very good. My training went just as planned and I expect a great fight and a great win Saturday night. I am feeling very strong right now.
Is this rematch with Manny the most important fight of your career? I think that at this point of my career, yeah. Later on there might be another that is more important, but we’ll see. But I am not thinking about anything else; just Manny.
Obviously you beat Pacquiao the first time, but in your mind, how will this rematch be different, if at all, and what have you learned about Manny? Whenever I attacked him, he went backward and he didn’t know what to do. His problem is not going forward because he is good coming forward. But his problem is going backward and that is what I will do (make him back up).
Did Manny surprise you at all when you fought him? Everyone had been saying how he has been knocking all these guys out and putting them down. In the first round when he hit me, I figured out that this guy wasn’t really that strong and he didn’t have the kind of punch to knock me out.
What are your thoughts of Manny outside the ring? Do you think he is a rival? Well, I don’t really know him (personally). He seems like a good guy and he shows respect. I have nothing against him. But once the bell rings, he is my enemy. I don’t know if he is a rival. I am fighting him twice now so I guess that makes him a rival?
One of my friends bumped into Marco Antonio Barrera recently and Barrera told him you will win. What do you think about that? That’s okay. I think he’s right; I will win.
Do you have any predictions? I will have a great victory for all my fans and for all of Mexico. You will see a great fight and I will have my hand raised.
Zahir Raheem thinks you should fight him next. What do you think of that? When I fought him, I wasn’t at my absolute best. I’ll fight him again, but first things first; I will beat Manny Pacquiao. After that, it is up to Top Rank to find someone for me to fight. I don’t care who it is.
