LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and Mexico’s Erik Morales hope to set up a rematch of their impressive March slugfest when they each face rivals here Saturday.
Pacquiao, 39-3 with two drawn and 31 knockouts, will fight Mexican Hector Velazquez, 41-20 with two drawn and 30 knockouts, in a super-featherweight feature. Velazquez has won five fights in a row in six rounds or less.
Morales, 48-2 with 34 knockouts, will test the lightweight division for the first time against American Zahir Raheem, 27-1 with 16 knockouts.
Morales won a unanimous decision over Pacquiao six months ago and could decide to stay in the higher weight class for more money even if both fighters emerge triumphant.
“Some people feel that Pacquiao was not at his best when I beat him, but I think he was,” Morales said. “But if there are some doubts about my victory last spring, I will erase them in a second fight.
“I thought I won clearly the first time and will do so again.”
After holding WBC titles at the super-bantamweight, featherweight and super-featherweight levels, Morales wants another WBC title bout against the winner of next month’s title fight between American Diego Corrales and Mexican Jose Luis Castillo.
“I think the opportunity is there for me to win a fourth world title and I’d like to do it,” said Morales. “Not many people get the chance to write history and I would love to do it.”
The card also features World Boxing Council junior flyweight champion Eric Ortiz, a Mexican who is 24-4 with one drawn and 16 knockouts, against unbeaten Filipino-heritage Hawaiian Brian Viloria, 17-0 with 11 knockouts.
