LOS ANGELES — If Erik Morales finishes the war against Manny Pacquiao on his feet, there would be a very slim chance for Filipinos to celebrate.
Take this from Rod Nazario, Pacquiao’s business manager, who last year swore he would never let his feared fighter see action in Las Vegas again.
“Our only clear chance for victory is via a knockout,” Nazario said after Pacquiao finished sparring at the Wild Card Gym here yesterday.
Nazario was obviously in dread of the perceived machinations of promoter Bob Arum, whose invisible clout in the Las Vegas boxing circuit is no secret.
Pacquiao, after knocking down double world champ Juan Manuel Marquez, an Arum boy, had to settle for a draw after the faulty scoring, which deprived Pacquiao of a winning point, was upheld.
Of course, other than the possible specter of cheating, a bigger odd Pacquiao has to contend with is Morales’ edge in skill and experience.
The taller Mexican warrior, a gutsy in-fighter, is Print this story Send this story Write the editor View other stories
a master boxer who could control a fierce foe the way a good matador would handle a raging bull.
He has belittled Pacquiao as a one-dimensional fighter who cannot move.
If Pacquiao fails to find his range and does not succeed in landing his punches, he could end up taking a boxing lesson from Morales, a former three-time world champion.
