LOS ANGELES — The tide has turned in favor of Erik Morales.
Reports emanating from Las Vegas, site of this Saturday’s super-featherweight battle between Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales, said that Morales has now been installed a 10-8 favorite.
Even sportsbook.com, the leading on-line betting station, listed Morales as 125 and Pacquiao -105.
But nobody from the Team Pacquiao is worried, not even boxing man Wakee Salud.
Salud, a Pacquiao confidant who is here to watch the scheduled 12-rounder at the Thomas and Mack Center, expressed elation over the reversal.
“But I think Manny is very prepared. His speed is amazing and his energy level is so high,” said Salud. “He has also shown tremendous power.”
Pacquiao had opened as a 7-5 favorite when the fight was formally announced in November 2005.
Pacquiao holds a 40-3-2 slate with 32 knockouts, while Morales parades a 48-3 card with 34 demolitions.
Morales, however, hasn’t scored an abbreviated win since stopping Guty Espadas Jr. in the third round in October 2003.
Millions of pesos are expected to be wagered days leading to the fight, or even, on fight day itself.
The last time they fought, Pacquiao was installed the heavy favorite.
