JUST HOW much did Erik Morales weigh when he reported for a seven-week weight reduction and physical conditioning program at the Velocity Sports Performance in Los Angeles?
Nicknamed “El Terrible,” Morales, who faces Manny Pacquiao in a rubber match on Nov. 18 in Las Vegas, yesterday tipped in at 142 lbs during a weigh-in supervised by the World Boxing Council (WBC) in Mexico City.
Under WBC rules, Morales should not weigh more than 143 lbs exactly a month before the scheduled 12-rounder as a precaution for fighters.
While Morales, 30, was able to meet the requirement, the weight he submitted in the presence of WBC Executive Secretary Mauricio Sulaiman, who represented his father, WBC President Jose Sulaiman, remains high since he has not only been training for almost a month in the Otomi mountains outside Mexico City but did go under the supervision of a team of experts in Los Angeles starting in July.
But Morales was very pleased with the outcome of the weigh-in and is looking forward to the bout that should be held before an expected sellout crowd considering that Top Rank has announced that over 10,000 tickets have already been sold.
“(I feel) incredibly strong,” Morales said during a press conference held after the weigh-in. “Not only am I on weight, but I feel stronger than ever.”
Jose “Olivaritos” Morales, the fighter’s father and long-time trainer, expressed optimism about their chances of exacting payback when the two men meet head on at the 19,522-seat Thomas and Mack Center.
“We could even not only win by decision but by knockout as well,” declared the senior Morales.
When Morales showed up for a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel last Sept.19, staffers at the Velocity Sports Performance declined to say how much the Mexican puncher weighed at that time but made the assurance that by fight night, Morales will retain his strength and endurance.
Pacquiao, 27, has also been training at the Wild Card in Hollywood since last Sept. 20 and is not at all concerned with making the limit of 130 lbs compared with his foe who has been having difficulties making 130 the past two years.
