IN A poll conducted by the publicity arm of the slambang March 19 promotion between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales, 54 favored the Mexican legend, while 51 picked the Filipino star and eleven believed the scheduled 12-rounder to be fought at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, will end up on a stalemate.
The notable names who voted for Morales include Dan Rafael of USA Today, Steve Springer of the Los Angeles Times, Richard Hoffer of Sports Illustrated, Michael Katz of the Detroit News, Ramiro Gonzalez of La Opinion, Carlos Arias of Orange County Register, Kevin Iole of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Colin Hart of The Sun (London), Ivan Goldman of The Ring and broadcaster Al Bernstein.
Pacquiao earned the nod of Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press, Ron Borges of the Boston Globe, Bernard Fernandez of the Philadelphia Daily News, Jim Jenkins of the Sacramento Bee, Graham Houston of Boxing Monthly-UK, Pat Putnam of Sports Illustrated, Norm Faruenheim of the Arizona Republic, Tim Smith of the New York Daily News and John Whisler of the San Antonio Express.
Ticket prices for the promotion put up by Top Rank and MGM Sports are priced at $400, $300, $200, $125 and $75. HBO will beam the fight plus two other world title bouts and a special attraction on Pay-Per-View for $44.95.
Accreditation for the fights is being handled by Amy Zopfi of BZA Inc. and as of the Feb. 26 deadline, the firm has already accepted 300-500 applications. Request for credentials came from USA, Mexico, Philippines, Argentina, Canada and Germany.
Confirmation letters will be sent out on March 4.
Pacquiao is currently training at the Wild Card Boxing Club owned by his American trainer Freddie Roach in Hollywood, California.
