On January 21, 2006 The Pride of The Philippines, Manny Pacquiao will step back into the ring against Mexican legend, Erik Morales in one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts of the new year. Pacquiao sat down with Boxingtalk and spoke to us about what is in his opinion, the biggest fight of his career, a rematch of his exciting decision loss last year. When I spoke with him, it seemed like I got a different Manny Pacquiao than the previous one I had spoken with. This Manny sounded as if he was on a mission, one that he fully intends on accomplishing. Pacquiao talked to us about his upcoming rematch with Morales, his new management and a potential rematch with Marco Antonio Barerra. You don’t want to miss what else Manny Pacquiao had to say in this exclusive Boxingtalk interview!
BT – Manny what’s up, you sound out of breath. Are you just getting out of the ring?
MP – Yes (laughs).
BT – Manny, how’s camp going so far?
MP – Camp is going good, I am getting a great workout today. The gym is more secluded this time, so I am able to focus much more on what I need to do. There are less people coming into the gym, and it’s better for me to concentrate now. We are working very hard on my technique,? I am training harder than I have ever trained before.
BT – Manny a lot of people saw Erik Morales’ last fight against Zahir Raheem. Do you feel you will get the same Erik Morales as you did last time you fought him or do you feel like you will get the Erik Morales that lost to Zahir Raheem?
MP – That was not the real Morales that everybody saw against Zahir Raheem. I expect that when he fights me he will be the real Erik Morales, he is training very hard. I do NOT think I will get the same Morales that lost to Raheem.
BT – Will you wear Reyes gloves this time Manny?
MP – Yes, I will wear Reyes gloves. I do not know what Erik will wear, but I will be wearing Reyes gloves.
BT – Manny last time you fought Morales you had a lot of distractions going on in your camp. You had issues with your management, and with your promoter. With a new promoter in Gary Shaw, and a new manager in Shelly Finkel, do you feel you are much more focused this time?
MP – Yes I am 100 percent focused this time. I am very focused and I am 100 percent concentrated on winning this fight. I have no problems with my manager, and no?problems with my promoter, so I have no distractions. I am working very hard with my training, and I am focused on this fight.
BT – Manny, Freddie Roach interviewed with Boxingtalk last week and told us that the way to beat Morales is to back him up. Do you feel that in order to beat Erik Morales you will have to press him more?
MP – Yes, we are working on a much more aggressive game plan. I am working much harder in camp, and I intend on giving this guy a good fight. I want all my fans to be happy with my performance.
BT – Manny put it into words, how important is a victory over Morales for you?
MP – Well, I will say this… I will do my best and I promise I will give this guy a fight, and I HAVE to win this fight.
BT – How important is it for you to go back to The Philippines victorious ?
MP- That’s a good question Brad, it is VERY important. All of my countrymen are hoping that I win this fight. If I beat Erik Morales it will be a big honor for me to go back?to The Philippines with the victory. I want this very much for my country, it will be good for my country and my fans.
BT – Manny, win or lose against Morales do you want a rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera?
MP – Yes anytime, I will fight him anytime. Right now I need to stay focused on my upcoming fight with Erik Morales, I want to make people happy on the 21st.
BT – What are your goals in 2006 Manny?
MP – My goal is to beat Morales. My other goal is to keep serving God, and to be blessed by God.
BT- Manny, take a minute and talk to all of your fans both here in the United States, and to your beloved fans in The Philippines.
MP- First of all I would like to thank Boxingtalk for giving me this opportunity to answer your questions. I also want to thank all of my fans that support me, and to all of boxing fans out there I hope you watch my fight against Erik Morales. I want to thank all of my fans in The Philippines.
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