Manny Pacquiao will let his fists do the talking, not his gloves, when he takes on Erik Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this Sunday morning (Manila time).
Talk about promoter Bob Arum pulling a fast one on Pacquiao to require Japanese-made Winning gloves that Morales prefers has unsettled the Filipino?s fans who fear things are being rigged to favor the Mexican in the 12-round pay-per-view bout.
Arum is Morales? promoter and he?d like nothing better than Pacquiao to lose.
Pacquiao would rather use the Mexican-made Cleto Reyes gloves which has less padding on the knuckles than the Winning brand. The extra padding blunts the impact of a fighter?s punches.
The theory is Pacquiao can do more damage on Morales with Reyes gloves than the Japanese kind. And if Morales? knuckles are brittle as they reportedly are, the extra padding will give additional protection.
Morales is probably sponsored by the Winning brand. In recent photos taken during his training, Morales was shown wearing Winning trunks, headgear and gloves. So he?s definitely more comfortable with Winning than with Reyes.
In title fights, the champion has the privilege of choosing the brand of gloves, like a dueler with the first pick of his pistol or saber. But no crown will be on the line in this Sunday?s encounter so neither fighter has the right to select his “weapon.”
Apparently, Arum inserted the clause about Winning gloves in the fight contract which Pacquiao?s US promoter Murad Muhammad overlooked or didn?t think important. It could?ve been in fine print and Muhammad probably left his glasses at home. But whatever the reason, the contract was signed and the Winning gloves were stipulated.
Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach seems to think the gloves will make a difference. That?s neither here nor there because the reality is Winning gloves will be used and nobody can do anything to change it.The more Pacquiao?s handlers grumble, the more negative vibes they generate so they should just put it behind them and move forward.
Pacquiao himself isn?t bothered. He was quoted as saying unless Arum sticks blades in Morales? gloves, he doesn?t think the brand will matter.
What?s important is Pacquiao shows up with his fists fully loaded and his mind in focus. Besides, whether or not the Winning gloves are padded, I think Morales won?t be able to take Pacquiao?s punches if they land squarely on the button.
The other negative talk coming out of the boxing woodwork is Pacquiao?s supporters insisting the only way he?ll beat Morales is by knockout. The insinuation is he?ll get a raw deal from judges Dave Moretti, Chuck Giampa and Paul Smith. That misgiving, of course, won?t sit well with the trio whose integrity is in effect being questioned.
It?s too early to paint a bleak picture for Pacquiao. The use of the Winning gloves. Arum influencing the three judges to see it Morales? way if the fight goes the distance. Pacquiao looking sluggish in sparring a few days ago. All that talk smacks of negativism which is something Pacquiao can do without.
What Pacquiao needs now is positive vibes. Physically, he?s ready for action. Mentally, he?s got to get tougher as the fight day draws closer and closer. Here is where his support group must rise to the occasion.
Let?s do our share to boost Pacquiao?s confidence. Let?s pray for his victory. Let?s generate meaningful positive energy.
Pacquiao has put the entire country on his back. It?s a heavy load but he?s up to the challenge. Pacquiao will go all out to win, regardless of the gloves and the judges. And with God on his side, he?ll get the job done.
