LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao was a pound and a half short of the 130-pound limit during yesterday’s trial weigh-in, and he was rewarded with the luxury of a chicken tinola dinner after his final workout for what is deemed the biggest fight of his career.
It also meant that the Philippines’ pride would not have to worry about the penalty for excess weight in the super featherweight category, pegged at $250,000 for every pound by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
This may not be the case with Mexico’s Erik Morales, who admitted being something like two pounds overweight during the fight press conference last Wednesday.
Pacquiao’s full meal on the eve of today’s official weigh-in is a perceived advantage, not only because Morales had had to skip his own dinner. It also meant the masterful Mexican, a three-time world champion, had had to cut back on food and other nutrients in the run-up to his second showdown with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, who ate full meals while deep in training in California, had earlier disclosed that he would try to dig in harder in the late rounds of the 12-round rematch-at a point when the underfed Morales could be expected to wear off and soften.
True condition
Of course, the true condition of the protagonists will be brought out in the open in today’s official weight check.
Morales had insisted that he was coming in more prepared — mentally and physically — than last year, when he still had to shed pounds for another hour despite reporting for the weigh-in looking like a skeletal penitent.
Both fighters had been claiming to be in better shape than they were last year-a factor that led fight organizers to guarantee an epic rematch at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila).
For the training, Morales took in a new team headed by the veteran Jose Luis Lopez, a strict disciplinarian.
Pacquiao is backed by the same group led by the famous Freddie Roach, but according to the Filipino boxing superstar, he is more focused this time.
With the adjustments, he has been likened to a racing car that went through changes equal to an engine overhaul.
‘Surprise’ weapon
But what came as a surprise was the decision to again keep Pacquiao’s final workout-where he supposedly made walk-over drills to review his new arsenal-from the public.
Manila-based reporters, together with two vanloads of fans, were disallowed entry into the borrowed gym Team Pacquiao had been using while in this gambling capital.
“Are they hiding something much bigger in his revised arsenal?” wondered one of the Manila-based reporters.
If anything, it could be the promised “surprise” weapon-actually a combination of punches, mainly anchored on a vastly improved right hand.
Pacquiao had himself claimed that the adjustments, together with the surprise package, were perfected based on what he and his team learned from their previous loss.
Nevertheless, Morales had been insisting that he could prove too good for Pacquiao because he also trained hard while improving on his previous winning formula.
‘Fighting for RP’
“It’s going to be a good fight. Both of us worked real hard and we’re going to give you a good fight,” Agence France-Presse quoted Pacquiao as saying during the weigh-in.
Pacquiao (40-3-2, 32 KOs) lost their first fight 11 months ago in Las Vegas. Morales (48-3, 34 KOs) dominated the middle rounds and hung on late to earn the unanimous decision.
“I will do my best, and I promise I will give this guy a fight. And I have to win this fight,” Pacquiao said.
“All of my countrymen are hoping that I win this fight. If I beat Morales, it will be a big honor for me to go back to the Philippines with the victory. I want this very much for my country,” he said.
Roach said Team Pacquiao learned a lot about Morales in the first encounter.
“He used his jab very effectively and so forth,” Roach said of the Mexican.
The trainer added: “We didn’t expect him to do as well as he did. And he backed Manny up when he put Manny on the ropes where he didn’t need to be.
5 out of 10
“So he fought a good fight, but not exactly what we expected. We expect it this time.”
Morales said he was prepared for Pacquiao to try and outlast him.
“I don’t think he’s a technically sound fighter. I think he depends on his power,” Morales said of his opponent, adding:
“If I had to rate his defenses, I would think he’s a five out of 10.
“I’m prepared for this fight. I feel ready. I feel even better than last time.” With an AFP report
