FILIPINO ring warrior Manny Pacquiao is all focused and ready to rumble against Mexico’s Erik Morales, the man who beat him and turned his face into a bloody mess back in March.
And when Pacquiao, the pride and joy of General Santos City, climbs the ring on January 21 (January 22 in Manila) in Las Vegas, it will not only be a man fighting for his country but also about a fighter seeking redemption.
“This guy beat us last time and we want revenge in the worst way,” Pacquiao’s famed trainer Freddie Roach told Fightnews.com.
“Manny’s pride is at stake and he has his whole country behind him, so Manny is much more focused this time,” Roach added.
Morales pulled off a unanimous decision win against Pacquiao in an epic encounter last year also in Las Vegas, with the Filipino fighting with one good eye from the fifth round on after he was cut above his right eye due to an accidental head butt.
Roach promises a different ending this time, though, when Pacquiao and Morales trade bombs at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The fight is at 130 pounds and is scheduled for 12. This will be the third time that Pacquiao will be fighting at 130.
According to Roach, Pacquiao has been doing great at the Wild Card Gym sans the distractions. Pacquiao, in fact, has been in secluded training for weeks now.
One factor going Pacquiao’s way this time is that he will be using his favorite Reyes gloves. When he fought Morales last year, Pacquiao used Winning gloves, the Mexican’s favorite.
“Manny wants this fight badly and I can’t wait for it to happen,” Roach said.
