LOS ANGELES?Two-time world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao said yesterday he?s got a few surprises for Erik Morales when they face off in a scheduled 12-round bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on March 19.
Pacquiao wouldn?t reveal what he has in store for “El Terrible” but hinted the Mexican is in for the shock of his life.
The word from Pacquiao?s camp is he?s preparing a killer right, an air-tight defense and a relentless non-stop attack to dispose of Morales early.
Pacquiao said he has a lot of respect for Morales. The protagonists met twice in press conferences announcing their pay-per-view match in Los Angeles and Mexico a few weeks ago.
“Nagtinginan kami ng eye-to-eye,” said Pacquiao. “Hindi ko naman siya tinitigan. Okay naman siya. Mabait, hindi mayabang.”
Pacquiao said he feels no different preparing?mentally and physically?for Morales as he did for Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez. He said he?s neither nervous nor overconfident.
Declining to predict how the fight will end, Pacquiao promised to fight to the best of his ability and said he won?t let his Filipino countrymen down.
Every morning, Pacquiao wakes up at 5:30 for a 45-minute early morning run at Griffith Park near his two-bedroom condominium at the corner of Sunset and Vine streets here. Rains haven?t stopped Pacquiao from jogging to build up his stamina. The city has been pelted by a steady downpour for weeks.
“Rain or shine, I don?t miss,” said Pacquiao, referring to his daily running regimen.
Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach said he expects a heckuva fight.
“Morales is a very nice and respectful person,” said Roach. “Manny?s a no-nonsense type of guy. Manny?s excited and he?s pushing himself in the gym to be in the best shape of his career. I expect Manny to go after Morales every second of every round and set a very fast pace. I don?t think Morales can sustain that kind of pace. Morales likes to fight a slow pace. He?s not good going backwards. He?s older and a bit worn out. It?s important that Manny dictates the pace.”
Roach said Pacquiao is more focused now and there are no distractions in his training.
“We don?t let the fans come in to watch Manny except on Saturdays so he can concentrate in the gym and not be bothered by fans the rest of the week,” said Roach.
Although he?s not selling Morales short, Roach said Juan Manuel Marquez is a more intelligent fighter.
“If you ask me, style-wise, Marquez is a more difficult opponent for Manny than Morales,” said Roach. “Marquez is a thinking fighter. Morales has a tendency to fight back when he?s hurt. He doesn?t retreat which is a problem for him because Manny comes right at you. I think Manny has too much firepower and speed for Morales. He?s got lots of combinations and he goes inside and out. He?s working hard to add power to his right. We?ll find out soon enough how hard he can hit with his right.”
Regarding Pacquiao?s new contract with manager Shelly Finkel, Roach said it?s a step in the right direction.
“I suggested Shelly to be Manny?s new manager,” revealed Roach. “In Manny?s new arrangement, there are no secrets. Everything will be above board. No one can steal from him because he?ll know what?s going on. Manny?s the boss now. It?s his decision what to do with his money.”
Lawyer Keith Davidson, who works with Finkel, said transparency is the policy of Pacquiao?s new management.
“Before, I don?t think Manny got the total picture of his financial affairs,” said Davidson. “Shelly is probably the last true manager in boxing because he just takes care of his fighters and doesn?t promote. He?d like to be a father figure for Manny. He wants Manny to know where every penny in his purse goes.”
Davidson explained that there?s a significant upgrade in Pacquiao?s financial status with the Morales fight.
“This is Manny?s first pay-per-view fight and it opens up a whole new dimension of financial matters for him,” said Davidson. “We want Manny to be involved in the management of his finances, to be aware of his total financial affairs. We all work for Manny. Without him, we wouldn?t be here. He risks his life in the ring and that?s why he?s entitled to what he should rightfully earn in every fight. There will be nothing hidden from him in terms of money.”
Davidson said Pacquiao stands to earn a bundle from pay-per-view in venue receipts, closed circuit, cable subscriptions and endorsements.
As to how much Pacquiao will bankroll for facing Morales, Davidson said his contract is being restudied and renegotiated. He estimated that when every penny is accounted for, Pacquiao could take as much as $4 Million to the bank.
