THE EAGERLY awaited Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales III is on.
Bob Arum, one of the world’s premier boxing promoter, insisted on this yesterday after getting an assurance from Pacquiao’s management team that the Filipino superstar had agreed to meet Morales a third time at 132 lbs.
In an interview by leading boxing website Fightnews, Arum of Top Rank said Pacquiao’s manager, Sheley Finkel, had confirmed the Filipino’s decision to fight at a heavier weight.
“Yeah! I mean there is a report out of the Philippines today that they are not, but Shelly Finkel assured me that it was OK,” Arum said when asked if Pacquiao was amenable to moving up in weight again.
Pacquiao and Morales fought as super featherweights (130 lbs) in their first two meetings. The Mexican won the first encounter by unanimous decision with the Filipino prevailing in their rematch recently by technical knockout in the 10th round.
Arum said that the Sept. 16 grudge match will be held at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas football field, which can accommodate close to 30,000 people.
A source, who requested anonymity, told the Inquirer that there is not much difference if the fight would be at 130 or 132 lbs, adding that the two-pound difference won’t matter as they used to even fight at 135 lbs or more.
The same source even hinted that the business-savvy Pacquiao might use the two-pound issue as a bargaining chip to get a bigger purse for the third fight.
“If they fight at 130 or 132 lbs, Pacquiao won’t be at the raw end of the deal,” the source said.”
