HOLLYWOOD, California ? Score ?Round One? in favor of Erik Morales.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) told the camp of Manny Pacquiao on Saturday to wear Japan-made Winning-brand gloves instead of original choice Mexican-manufactured Cleto Reyes for their March 19 clash at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Earlier in the week, Pacquiao and his handlers batted for the use of the Reyes gloves because it is the preference of hard punchers like Pacquiao because it is said to have less padding on the knuckle area.
Morales? penchant for using Winning is due to reports that the classy Mexican fighter has brittle hands and the heavy padding found on the knuckle area of the Winning protects it from getting injured.
Roach revealed that when Pacquiao?s promoter Murad Muhammad signed the promotional contract with lead promoter Top Rank, he agreed to the provision that mandates Pacquiao to wear only Winning.
Top Rank, whose offices are found in Las Vegas, is owned by Bob Arum, who promotes Morales.
Earlier in the week, Roach had insisted that Pacquiao will slip on a pair of Reyes gloves because Morales does not have the authority to dictate what brand of gloves should be worn since he is no longer a champion.
“The practice is that a champion has the right to dictate what brand to wear, but he is no longer the champion so why should he make that decision?”
Despite the sudden turn of events, Pacquiao refused to be affected by the decision made by the NSAC headed by Marc Ratner.
“Okay na rin yan kasi kung titingnan mo wala na rin sa gloves yan. Sa pagpapatama na magkakatalo iyan,” said Pacquiao on Saturday night inside his two-bedroom apartment at Sunset Vine.
“Huwag lang lalagyan ng blade yung glove ni Morales ay payag na rin ako sa Winning,” added Pacquiao, who vividly recalled saying on the eve of his memorable battle with Marco Antonio Barrera in Nov. 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, that he is willing to exchange blows with his foe with bare hands.
Pacquiao is arriving in Las Vegas late Monday afternoon by land from Los Angeles, while Morales is slated to check in at the MGM Grand on Tuesday afternoon.
He will brought there on a private jet that will take off from Mexico City.
Sidelights: Manny Pacquiao shirts were being peddled at $10 while Pacquiao was working out at the Wild Card Boxing Club on Saturday, the day his training session is open to the public?Shirts designed by one of Pacquiao?s backers in Manila, energy drink Red Bull, were worn by the fighter?s supporters with an image of Pacquiao and the phrase “Ang Bumangga Giba” printed on the front?Pacquiao and his handlers and some fans are scheduled to attend Sunday church services at the Christ The King on Rossmore Ave. at 8:30 a.m. after which a lunch will be hosted at Barrio Fiesta in nearby Glendale by a San Francisco-based friend of Dodie Nazario, son of Pacquiao?s business manager, Rod Nazariio?Pacquiao and his supporters had dinner at a local Goldilocks on Vermont Steet and the goatied boxer devoured two cups of steamed rice and a bowl of kalderetang kambing…Malabon construction magnate Polding Correa, the first manager of Pacquiao, is said to be arriving in Las Vegas during fight week. “Tumawag siya at nag-request sa akin. Pinagbigyan ko siyempre.”
