LAS VEGAS – While almost everybody said the fight could last the distance, at least there was someone bold and more specific predicting a Manny Pacquiao victory inside eight rounds.
“Put your money on the smart place. It’ll be an eighth-round knockout by Pacquiao,” Gary Shaw, the American promoter of the Filipino knockout artist, told the jampacked press conference Wednesday.
Shaw firmly believes that Pacquiao, who trained long and hard for his coming fight with Erik Morales, now has the power to deal the Mexican the first knockout loss of his career.
“You’ll see a different Manny Pacquiao. And you’ll probably be seeing the fight of the year on Saturday.
This is almost like the Olympics at the highest level,” he said.
Shaw also said Pacquiao using the Cleto Reyes gloves, known as the puncher’s gloves, against Morales’ Winning, which is thicker on the knuckle area, will be a factor.
“Erik Morales will be wearing pillows on his hands to protect his face,” said the portly American.
As Shaw delivered his pep talk before the microphone, a Mexican who sat somewhere at the back of the Mounton Ballroom of Wynn Las Vegas kept shouting “Viva Mexico! Viva Mexico!”
Shaw turned his eyes on the fellow and gave him a shot.
“You’ll be removed in about three seconds,” he paused, before adding, “and as you see Filipinos are more respectful.”
The Mexican, however, wouldn’t budge, even when it was Pacquiao who was at the microphone.
The Mexican certainly drew Pacquiao’s attention, but looked stunned when the Filipino boxer, smiling at him, shouted “Viva Mexico!”
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
