A PAIR of former world-ranked fighters has been commissioned yesterday by Erik “El Terrible” Morales to spar with him at the Queretaro Mountains as he plunges into the most crucial weeks of training for his January 21 rematch with Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao.
The latest addition brings to seven the number of sparmates — all southpaws — who take turns in honing the boxing skills of the three-division former world champion from Tijuana, Mexico.
American Freddie Norwood, who reigned as WBA featherweight champ from 1998 to 2000, and Daniel Attah, a Nigerian super featherweight, have arrived at the Queretaro to join Morales and his team of fighters and physical conditioning coaches.
Already in the camp with Morales are Raymundo “Panadero” Gonzalez, Pirri Leyva and Betillo Guttierez. Set to arrive this week to join them are Steven Luevano and Fernando “Wary” Belran.
Raul Robles, Morales’ physical conditioning coach, revealed last Saturday that his ward had run the well-known Cerro del Cubilete (Hill of the Tumblers) in Mexico, a nine-kilometer ascent, and did it in a little more than one hour.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao is reportedly holding a teleconference with members of the media today from his base at the Wild Card Gym. The Filipino star will answer queries from journalists, who will be briefed on his preparations for the rematch.
Morales, for his part, is set to hold his teleconference tomorrow from his training base in Mexico.
