Yes, he will take the money. No, he will not run.
Manny Pacquiao yesterday said he’d be willing to face Erik Morales on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas even if the crafty Mexican fighter goes over the weight limit of 130 pounds.
“Kahit tumimbang siya na heavyweight, hindi ko siya aatrasan (Even if he weighs in as a heavyweight, I will not back off),” Pacquiao said from his hometown in Gen. Santos City.
“Para kahit kunin ko ang pera, hindi naman tayo mag-mukhang magulang (So even if I take the money, we will not look bad),” added the flamboyant 27-year-old slugger.
Pacquiao issued these statements after reports said that Morales’ promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, is willing to pay Pacquiao as much as $1 million if the Mexican goes over the limit.
According to an ESPN report filed by Dan Rafael, Pacquiao will get $500,000 if Morales weighs in from 130.1 to 131 pounds. If the latter weighs in from 131.1 to 132 pounds, the Filipino will receive $1 million.
Pacquiao, the report added, can even take the $1 million and not face Morales. But if he runs away with the money, will he receive his fight purse of at least $2.5 million in full?
The fight contract for the third meeting between the two great fighters has yet to be finalized and signed.
This “pay-me-if-you’re-overweight” clause will be clearly stated in the contract now being prepared.
Pacquiao lost a 12-round decision to Morales in March last year but bounced back with a sensational 10th round knockout last January at the Thomas and Mack Center in Vegas.
Leading up to the rematch, Morales had trouble making 130 lbs, and even offered to pay Pacquiao $250,000 for every pound in case he goes over the limit. Both fighters made the weight.
This time, Morales’ weight is once again being questioned. Some say he’s now over 150 pounds, and needs “to cut both legs” for him to make it at 130 by November.
Morales is now in Los Angeles for an eight-week weight reduction program, and hopes to return to Tijuana by August, fit and ready to begin his serious training by September.
Pacquiao will try to get in shape by August. He plans to train a week or two in Cebu City, before pushing for Los Angeles by September to train at the Wild Card Gym.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is enjoying his stay in Gen. Santos City with his pregnant wife Jinkee and their two sons, Michael and Jimwell. Jinkee will deliver the baby in October.
This time, it’s going to be a baby girl for the Pacquiao’s, and she’ll be named Mary Divine Grace.
