AFTER playing it mysteriously out in Mexico’s Otami Mountains, Erik Morales yesterday came out in the open to bare he would beat Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The Mexican boxing idol said Pacquiao would be meeting a totally different Morales when they clash for a third time.
In an announcement at his own website Thursday, Morales, said people “will see a different El Terrible,” who will show the old form that made him a multi-division world champion.
Morales also stressed that, this time, he won’t be having weight problems in his rubber match with Pacquiao.
Morales stressed that he will win the fight easily.
“This fight is not about the money. This is to prove that I still have it, and I am fighting for Mexico,” Morales declared.
In a clear dig at Pacquiao, Morales insisted that the Filipino’s much-ballyhooed left did not hurt him in their second fight which the Filipino won by technical knockout last January to avenge a close but unanimous loss in 2005.
Morales added that he runs in the morning and spars in the evening under the watchful eyes of his father, Jose “Olivaritos” Morales.
The elder Morales has defied doctors’ orders to stay out of the high-altitude Otomi, due to his diabetes, in order to closely monitor the training of his son.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao and Freddie Roach swore they can again beat Morales, although the trainer had reiterated that the Filipino should come into the fight “in the best shape of his life” as Morales will most likely fight like a wounded tiger to regain lost pride.
Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer, said they are closely reviewing tapes of Morales previous fights for a fall-back strategy should the Mexican decide to resort to a hit-and-run tactic the way Marco Antonio Barrera did in winning his last fight.
Fernandez said they have a plan B to keep the Mexican from using the ring to his advantage.
Pacquiao had to take a day-off due to a little cold, but Roach said there was no need to worry as the Filipino hero was “a little ahead of schedule.”
Pacquiao was scheduled to resume sparring yesterday.
Roach claimed Pacquiao appeared in terrific shape in his last four-round sparring.
Roach also announced for the first time that Pacquiao’s right hook is coming along pretty well, “something Morales will have to watch out for.”
