WHY is Manny Pacquiao being favored to beat Erik Morales? And by way of a knockout?
If you are a Pacquiao fan or a Filipino for that matter, the answers to these questions are easy. Because the Filipino boxer packs power and is a KO artist, period.
But when Morales beat Pacquiao on points he first time out, the entire Filipino nation and the bookmakers in Las Vegas were stunned.
Even more stunning is the latest prediction of the bookmakers listing Pacquiao as a 7-5 favorite to beat Morales in their Jan. 21 rematch in Las Vegas despite the result of the first fight.
Is it because Pacquiao won his last bout and Morales lose his?
Hard to tell, but even the online poll conducted by HBO shows Pacquiao winning the bout, with majority of them even saying the Filipino will knock the Mexican out.
Based on the latest HBO poll, 37 percent said Pacquiao will win by a KO, with only 13 percent saying he will win via a decision.
The poll also showed 30 percent believed Morales is going to beat Pacquiao on points, while only 18 percent think the Mexican will win by knockout.
One percent said the bout will end in a draw.
Meanwhile, both fighters have intensified their preparations for the coming bout.
Morales is in the city of Queretaro in Mexico sweating it out under the watchful eyes of a new trainer.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, is working with famed trainer Freddie Roach away from the prying eyes of the media at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
