MEXICAN Erik ?The Terrible One? Morales says he will show Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao what he can do in the ring when they clash in their Grand Finale rubber match at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Sunday.
In an interview telecast on a Top Rank TV special, Morales said: ?The most important thing is to go back to boxing, come back strong and make a good demonstration. We will show him [Pacquiao] what we can do in the ring and win, which is important.?
Morales, who arrived in Las Vegas on Monday night, said there were a lot of people, who think that he is at the end of his career while others think he should retire.
?There are others who think I can do it and that I have to work more. I?m with that group. We think we can definitely do it.?
He said the media criticism motivates him a lot.
?At the same time, it disappoints me. It motivates me because I think there is a reason to fight. It disappoints me because sometimes, the reporters, the media are very cruel. I just ask them to have confidence in me, don?t attack me. From here until the day of the fight, don?t say I?m finished, don?t say things you are not sure about. You have to go in the ring and dominate. In the ring, only one fighter can dominate. And I hope to be it,? said Morales.
The 30-year-old three-time world champion and a certain inductee into the boxing Hall of Fame, conceded that ?the body is not the same as when you are 21-22 years old. But it doesn?t mean you?re old, it?s just that boxing has taken its toll and there?s a lot of wear and tear physically, mentally and technically.?
Well-known boxing writer Dan Rafael of ESPN said Morales has always had: ?An indomitable spirit and an incredible heart and could never be counted out. Morales knows he can do it. He beat Manny the first time. He?s been a great champion for many years and it?s just one more training camp, He?s got to really give it his truest effort and show that he?s not washed up.?
