Boxing superstars Manny ?The Destroyer? Pacquiao of the Philippines and Erik ?El Terible? Morales of Mexico come face-to-face yesterday in the pre-fight news conference drumming up their March 19 superbout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, but it was Mexican promoter and Morales? handler Fernando Beltran who consumed huge part of the limelight.
Apparently incensed by reports claiming that Pacquiao will knock out Morales when the two explosive fighters collide in a guaranteed box-office show this Saturday, Beltran angrily branded the Pacquiao camp as being ?disrespectful.?
So furious Beltran was that he went to the extent of challenging Team Pacquiao to a $100,000 (P5.6 million) bet. The handlers of Pacquiao turned it down though believing that a wager would be unethical.
?I keep reading on the internet that Pacquiao is going to knock out Erik Morales in one round, two rounds or three rounds. Let me ask everyone in this room. When was the last time Erik Morales has been knocked out? The answer is never,? said Beltran.
?It?s very disrespectful of the Pacquiao camp to say what they?ve been saying the last few weeks. I have $100,000 of my own money that I?ll put on Erik. I want to see if he?ll stand up and take [the bet].?
Also during the new conference, Pacquiao and Morales both predicted a victory, but did not elaborate further how they will go about with the fight.
Pacquiao did not say that he is going to knock out Morales, but the Filipino bomber assured to come up with an electrifying performance that will make people happy.
?This is a big opportunity for me, come see a good fight on Saturday. I am ready, I am ready for this fight, don?t miss it, just watch, it will be a good fight!,? said the 27-year-old Pacquiao, who will earn as much as $4 million for the Morales bout.
Morales, on the other hand, expects one tough fight, but is confident he is ready to overcome whatever kind of challenge Pacquiao presents on the fight night.
?All the fights are difficult, but this one is the toughest. I?m sure it will be a tough fight and I am ready for what he?s going to bring on comes fight night,? said Morales, who will enter the fight as the underdog for the first time in his career.
?I know that he (Pacquiao) is a warrior and people from his country are very strong people to fight but I never met a Mexican who retreats. I will be in front of him all night and we are going to win this fight,? added the soft-spoken Morales.
On the other hand, the MGM Grand Garden Arena is planning to expand the seating as 12,000-plus seats of the 14,400-seater venue has already been sold.
Meanwhile, money keeps pouring in on Pacquiao. MGM Sportsbook Director Robert Walker has raised the price to -$135 for Pacquiao, while Morales? price has been upped to $115. This means that a $135 bets for Pacquiao wins $100, while a $100 bet for Morales wins $115.
