ERIK MORALES should be in his fighting best or he’s going to get knocked out again by Manny Pacquiao.
American trainer Freddie Roach declared this yesterday in the latest update on the buildup by the Filipino hero Pacquiao and the Mexican icon Morales for their eagerly awaited rubber match on Nov. 18 (Nov. 19 in Manila) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
In a one-on-one interview with Boxingtalk.com’s Brad Cooney, Roach said there’s no doubt “this will be the best Morales so far” with all the extra effort the Mexican put in to make the 130-lb limit for their super featherweight clash.
“We will find out once and for all if he has one more good fight left in him,” Roach said. “If he doesn’t, he’s going to get knocked out.”
Pacquiao stopped Morales — the first in the storied career of the former three-time world champion — in the 10th round of their second meeting last January after the Filipino lost by unanimous decision in their first clash in 2005.
Roach said Pacquiao is working on some “different moves,” mostly defense. “Manny is very offensive minded, but he will be more willing to box in his next fight,” the trainer said.
After flooring two sparring partners yesterday, Roach said he has “to cycle them [sparmates} because they get worn out” from absorbing blows from Pacquiao.
“Manny gets friendly with them once he gets to know them, and he starts taking it easy on them,” said Roach. “We have to cycle them so he doesn’t let up on them.”
