LOS ANGELES, California, United States of America — Manny Pacquiao said he was not a bit surprised when promoters announced yesterday that he would get a $1.75-million purse for his March 19 fight against Erik Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao was, however, left dumbfounded when told that bookmakers in Las Vegas have installed him the favorite against Morales, the prizefight superstar from Tijuana, Mexico.
“Manny is favored at odds of minus 160,” his trainer, Freddie Roach, told the Inquirer yesterday.
This means, Roach explained, that those who would wager $160 would be paid $100 if Pacquiao wins.
On the other hand, a winning $100 gamble on Morales would pay $160.
Pacquiao said he knew his purse would be doubled after promoters decided to shove off Juan Manuel Marquez, his original foe, in favor of the sensational Morales.
Marquez left in the cold
Marquez’s financial demands are reported to have caused the breakdown of the rematch. As a result, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation champion Marquez has been left in the cold.
Pacquiao showed up in a handsome blue attire and advised those who attended the fight press con at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Boulevard not to miss his clash with Morales.
“I’m excited, I’m ready to do my best. It will be one of the most memorable fights in history,” Pacquiao said.
Morales, who showed up in a black jacket and later posed for promo photos with Pacquiao, said he does not duck anybody and would be glad to fight Pacquiao.
“It will be a great fight,” assured the three-time world champ who lost his world 130-pound crown to arch-rival Marco Antonio Barrera last November.
Pacquiao, 26, spoke in straight English while the 28-year-old Morales talked in Spanish and was helped by an interpreter.
Great event for fans
“As they did in 2004, Morales and Pacquiao continue to participate in some of boxing’s most exciting and compelling match-ups,” said Mark Taffet, HBO senior vice president of sports operations and pay-per-view. “This should be a great event for pay-per-view boxing fans.” Pacquiao, who will step up in weight to take on Morales, said he had all the while expected the fight to be carried on pay-per-view which should assure him a 40-percent cut from the proceeds.
This early, Pacquiao’s earnings — from his purse and the percentage from pay-per-view sales — are sure to set a record for a fighter from the Orient.
Pacquiao’s stellar role will boost sales, with the March 19 mainer predicted to break the $15-million PPV earnings of the Barrera-Morales bout last November.
Unlike Pacquiao, who appeared amazed, Roach said the early odds in favor of Pacquiao did not come as a surprise.
“Barrera beat Morales on points the last time, while Manny had stopped Barrera. This is the reason for these odds,” Roach told the Inquirer.
Even betting at fight time
The famous fight mentor, voted trainer of the year in 2003, however, said betting should be pretty even come fight time.
After stopping Barrera in November 2003, Pacquiao dropped Juan Manuel Marquez, the WBA/IBF featherweight champ, three times in the first round of their title fight in Las Vegas last May but later settled for a controversial split draw.
Pacquiao arrived here last week to train for the original rematch against Marquez where he was supposed to get a $900,000 purse.
Marquez, allotted only a $750,000 purse, refused to sign up, forcing organizers to scrap the scheduled Feb. 26 rematch against Pacquiao.
The sun shone bright here yesterday for the first time since New Year but Pacquiao, after a regular morning jog, skipped gym work to attend the press conference.
“We resume tomorrow, and it will be a long, hard grind all the way,” Roach said.
The five-foot-eight Morales has a 47-2 record with 34 knockouts.
The five-foot-six Pacquiao, 39-2-2- with 30 knockouts, is a two-time world champion.
They share equal 69-percent knockout credits.
No official title will be at stake but Top Rank and M&M Sports, which will present the card in association with MGM Grand, called the 12-round bout the “world super featherweight championship.”
Tickets have been priced at $400, $300, $200, $125 and $75.
