Better the second time around – for boxing fans, that is.
That’s how Mexican superstar Erik “El Terrible” Morales sees his upcoming blockbuster rematch with Filipino knockout artist Manny Pacquiao on Jan 22. In an interview with fightnews.com, the three-time world champion said that because of the circumstances surrounding him and Pacquiao, the rematch could be one for the ages.
Know each other
“I expect the fight to be even better than the first one. Now we know each other better and know what each is capable of doing. I think the fans will get a great fight and something to remember for a long time,” said Morales, who added that losing to lightweight upstart Zahir Raheem last September has given him extra motivation for the fight.
“I know I let a lot of people down with my last performance. I know I can do better than what I showed last September in Los Angeles and I will prove it on Jan. 21 (22 in the Philippines) in Las Vegas.”
Todd DuBoef, VP of Top Rank Boxing (the Bob Arum-owned outfit that promotes Morales) shares the same observation.
“They have been telling me sensational stuff,” DuBoef says of the reports he has received about Morales’ high-altitude training regimen at Mexico’s Queretaro mountains. “That he is so focused, he feels great, he’s running, all this stuff that he’s feeling terrific and he feels like a new fighter and he’s rededicated to his career. I think he was relatively embarrassed by his performance with Raheem and I think that’s something he wants to erase.”
Pacquiao, on the other hand, is also on a mission. The Filipino puncher is also hell-bent on defeating Morales after losing via unanimous decision in their first tussle in March last year.
Knock out
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Manny knocks Morales out,” Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, was quoted by ESPN. Roach also confessed that he and Pacquiao learned something after their setback to Morales last year.
“If he (Pacquiao) sticks to the game plan and does what he has to do in the fight, I think I could see him knocking this guy out.
You know the guy is a very game guy and a very tough guy and I don’t know if he has ever been knocked out but there is always a first time.”
Pacquiao and Morales are slated to slug it out at the Thomas and Mack Center, a 19,000-seat arena that should be filled mostly with Filipinos and Mexicans.
Unlike his trainer, Pacquiao refused to predict if he will win by knockout, but has assured Filipino fans he will try his best to win by stoppage.
