Manny Pacquiao packs the power that could knock down Erik Morales and, at the same time, the maneuverability to elude the Mexican?s vicious right.
?We?d like to work the body early, and surely, the head will fall,? said multi-awarded cornerman Freddie Roach, who is not awed by Morales?s supposedly granite-hard jaw.
?He?s been hurt a few times, but I think he?s never been knocked down. But I believe Manny has the power to knock him out.?
Roach added: ?I have full confidence in what Manny can do. And we know that Erik has a great right hand, but we know how to avoid that.?
Pacquiao and Morales will duel next Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Las Vegas.
The Nevada State Athletic Association has appointed as referees Chuck Giampa, Paul Smith and Dave Moretti. The referee will be Joe Cortez, the same man who worked Pacquiao?s split draw with Juan Manuel Marquez last year.
Rod Nazario, Pacquiao?s business manager, said Pacquiao needs everything in his arsenal to beat Morales.
?He has to knock Morales out or beat him so bad the judges would not have the opportunity to screw the decision,? he said. ?If this fight is close at the end of 12 rounds, Morales will win it.?
A loss by Morales will be a big blow to promoter Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Inc. treats the Mexican like royalty.
?Morales is more popular than Marco Antonio Barrera in the whole of Mexico. Morales cannot afford to lose this fight because his value will diminish,? added Nazario.
Roach, the Filipino puncher?s cornerman since 2001, hardly finds an advantage for Morales.
?The heavier Morales goes into the ring, the happier I will get. Morales weighed 144 lb when he fought and lost to Barrera last year. And putting on that amount of weight in 24 hours will make you sluggish.?
Pacquiao should have no problem making the 130-lb super-featherweight limit on the eve of the fight, according to Roach, who thinks his prized prot?g? will come in at 128 or 129 lb.
?Manny?s been training really hard and he just keeps on getting better,? added Roach.
Pacquiao works out Mexicans Jose Sta. Cruz and Wary Beltran.
Pacquiao has logged a total of 153 rounds of sparring and by the time he arrives from Hollywood to Las Vegas on Monday, he would be coming off over 160 rounds.
Ben Viloria, son Brian, a world-rated flyweight from Honolulu also under Roach, has the same opinion about the Filipino champ.
?Masyadong mabilis at malakas si Manny at para siyang palos,? said Ben, who hails from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
The Vilorias are one of countless Pacquiao supporters trooping to Las Vegas in anticipation of a slam-bang affair in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000.
Tickets to the fight have, in fact, been selling briskly. Even Pacquiao is having some problems with it.
?Iyon ngang binili ko na additional [tickets] ay mukhang kulang pa eh,? said Pacquiao.
