LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Manny Pacquiao was told yesterday why he would be on the losing end in his rematch against Erik Morales on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
“He comes in using what he has learned from his mistakes, but we will fight using what we’ve learned from victory,” Fernando Beltran, manager of Erik “El Terible” Morales, told the Inquirer after a brief welcome for the Mexican group at the Wynn’s Hotel and Casino here.
Unlike last year, there was no mariachi band to usher in the Mexican boxing great but the horde of eager reporters, including those from the Philippines, lent a festive mood to the austere back-lobby welcome at the Wynn’s Las Vegas.
Morales, sunburnt and robust unlike last March when he showed up pale and wan for his first encounter with Pacquiao at MGM Grand, confirmed that, just like Pacquiao, he would make necessary adjustments and improve on his winning formula.
“This promises to be a great fight because Pacquiao is strong, brave and good and would surely lend character to the fight,” Morales, 29, explained through his manager.
Then, reacting to earlier verbal tirades from the Pacquiao camp, Morales remarked that he, too, deserves respect.
“It would be fine if he’s able to put into action what he has been mouthing all along,” Morales explained in a soft but clear voice.
Morales, who planed in from Mexico, couldn’t have picked a more dramatic time to return to this glittering capital, sight of his biggest fights.
He moved into the corridors of the Wynn’s Las Vegas exactly after the sports book in the fabulous hotel-casino had announced that the odds for The Battle have leveled off.
Morales and Pacquiao were even choices among bettors, with equal minus-110 percentage.
That means a $110 bet for either fighter would pay only $100.
Morales had actually pushed ahead, 10-8, after Pacquiao was pegged the 7-5 choice earlier.
Experts point to skill, height advantage and vast experience as the stronger points in the Morales arsenal.
But Pacquiao provides a worthy, dangerous challenge with his edge in speed, power and the oft-repeated vow to come up with necessary adjustments based on the first encounter won by Morales by decision last March.
