THE ghost of his defeat to Manny Pacquiao back in January has been haunting Erik Morales no end that only a sweet revenge can make the Mexican fighter sleep well at night.
Yes, Morales is dying to meet Pacquiao again and avenge the most humiliating setback he suffered in his entire career, a 10th round technical knockout loss that tarnished the image of a future Hall of Famer.
“My next fight will be against Pacquiao in the United States. If anyone is saying anything different they would be lying,” Morales told Fightnews.com from his office in Tijuana, Mexico.
The three-time world champion Morales was clarifying reports that he will be fighting in Mexico soon and not against Pacquiao.
Eric Gomez of the Golden Boy Promotions had earlier announced that a third bout between Pacquiao and Morales is not possible since both fighters are reportedly fighting different opponents at their respective countries.
Pacquiao is indeed fighting a different boxer in his next match against former world bantamweight champion Oscar Larios in the Philippines either in June of July.
But as for Morales, he is not thinking of another opponent right now but Pacquiao, who dealt him a terrible beating in Las Vegas last January 21.
It was the first time Morales suffered a KO defeat in his career, going down twice in a showdown that catapulted Pacquiao to greater heights.
“Right now I’m totally dedicated to my family and some personal business and when I do think about boxing, a third Pacquiao fight is the only thing that’s on my mind and I would suggest to Gomez and his company that they should worry about their fighters and stay out of my business,” Morales said.
“I’ll fight Pacquiao whenever Top Rank tells me. September or October. All I’m waiting for is the exact date from them so I get ready for the rubber match with Pacquiao,” added Morales, who won his first meeting with Pacquiao via a unanimous decision in 2005. While Pacquiao is getting himself ready for another fight soon, Morales is still enjoying time with his family in Tijuana. But once a third fight with Pacquiao is sealed, Morales said he will buckle down to serious business and will have the Filipino warrior in his mind and no other else.
