Consensus world featherweight boxing champion Manny Pacquiao won?t be cramming to train for his next fight. He would?ve logged only six weeks of training if the rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez pushed through on Feb. 26. But as it turned out, Marquez priced himself out of the HBO (Home Box Office) picture and Pacquiao will face Erik Morales instead on March 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Now, Pacquiao has a few more weeks to prepare for what could be the biggest test in his colorful career.
It was a blessing in disguise that Marquez asked for a lot more than he deserves in the aborted Pacquiao rematch. He bargained for $1.5 Million when promoter Bob Arum offered only $750,000. Marquez balked when he found out Pacquiao would receive $900,000.
Marquez? manager Ignacio Beristain said his prot?g? should get more than Pacquiao because he is after all the defending International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Association featherweight titlist.
What Beristain conveniently failed to appreciate is Marquez?who?s now 31?was a nobody until he pushed Pacquiao to the limit and fought the Filipino southpaw to a split draw last May. Did Beristain forget that Marquez was paid peanuts for beating Orlando Salido last September?
Or was the money angle just an excuse for Marquez to wiggle out of a dangerous situation?
The word from Manila to Mexico was Pacquiao partied, played pool until the wee hours and concentrated more on signing endorsement contracts than staying in shape before he left for Los Angeles last Saturday. That should?ve been music to Marquez? ears. But I doubt if Marquez believed the reports. He probably thought the news was exaggerated and meant for him to be overconfident. Maybe, it worried Marquez more.
After fighting Pacquiao last May, the speculation in fight circles was Marquez would never be the same again. Sure, he survived three trips to the canvas in the first round and went the distance with Pacquiao. But Marquez paid a heavy price for staying on his feet. He finished the bout looking like he was mauled by an army of gangsters in a Bronx back alley. Marquez couldn?t even move his head because his neck was swollen and there were welts all over his face.
Against Salido, Marquez showed nothing in retaining his double world crowns. He did just enough to beat a clearly inferior opponent.
Marquez began training for the rematch last November and vowed to whip Pacquiao but in boxing, talk is cheap.
Still, a well-trained Marquez would?ve posed a serious challenge for a poorly-trained Pacquiao. Marquez is a clinical technician who?s hard to hit. He?s a deadly counterpuncher, meaning his opponents aren?t able to land too many combinations. Marquez isn?t easily worn down. He could get knocked out by a single punch but it?s unlikely he?ll succumb to a flurry.
Perhaps, Marquez got cold feet. Asking for the moon when he had the stars seemed a little out of whack. HBO has kept a Feb. 26 date for Marquez but I doubt if he?ll earn anywhere close to $750,000 against an opponent other than Pacquiao.
As for Morales, Pacquiao must be careful not to sell “El Terrible” short.
There appeared to be premature rejoicing in Pacquiao?s camp when it was confirmed he would fight Morales instead of Marquez. Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach and business manager Rod Nazario are convinced Morales is an easier opponent than Marquez because he?s not hard to hit. Pacquiao has less respect for Morales than either Marquez or Marco Antonio Barrera.
And with more training hours available, Pacquiao might just become overconfident and take Morales lightly.
But a note of caution.
Morales, 28, is a tested warrior who has lost only twice in his career?to Barrera on points in 2002 and last November. His record of 47-2, with 34 KOs, is nothing to scoff at. He has held the World Boxing Council superbantamweight, featherweight and superfeatherweight titles and demolished Filipino Reynante Jamili in six rounds in 1999.
Of course, you can argue that Pacquiao had little difficulty in crushing Morales? sole tormentor Barrera and took only two rounds to dispose of Jamili. But experience is something you must consider in analyzing how a fight could turn out. Morales has figured in 19 world title bouts to Pacquiao?s 10?translated into rounds, the Mexican has a decisive edge, 164 to 56. Morales also enjoys a four-inch advantage in reach and is two inches taller. Besides, Pacquiao will be making his debut in the superfeatherweight or 130-pound division which Morales once ruled.
The son of a former fighter, Morales hails from the rugged Tijuana barrio known as Zona Norte. He was born on the first floor of the building that houses the second-storey boxing gym where he trains. Morales began boxing at the age of six and his father Jose Morales Damian initially didn?t want him to turn pro until it became evident “El Terrible” was destined for fame and fortune in the ring.
Pacquiao is guaranteed $1.75 Million for taking on Morales and will pocket a percentage of the pay-per-view receipts?a much bigger take-home paycheck than he would?ve earned in fighting Marquez.
If and when Pacquiao hurdles Morales, he?ll be in line for another megabuck showdown with Barrera. And if Marquez is still hanging around when the smoke clears, Pacquiao will want to bury him, too?that is, if the Mexican doesn?t come up with another excuse to avoid a rematch.
