LAS VEGAS–Suddenly, there’s a dark cloud hanging over Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales Part III.
Bob Arum of Top Rank, who said last week that a third match should be held if Pacquiao beats Morales, said Saturday it’s now really up to the beaten Mexican fighter to decide.
During the post-fight press conference, Arum, the promoter of Morales, said nothing is definite at the moment regarding the rubber match between the two fighters.
Morales beat Pacquiao in their first meeting last March at MGM Grand before the Filipino forced a standoff by knocking out the Mexican in the 10th round Saturday.
“I’m not saying I’m in favor of it or I’m not in favor of it. It’s his call right now,” said Arum, adding that he needs to talk to his boxer of his plans.
With the kind of beating Morales got from Pacquiao, the former three-time champion from Tijuana might just decide against a rubber match.
Morales had great difficulty making the 130 lb limit for his super featherweight match with Pacquiao, and had aired his intentions to climb to 135 later this year.
Should Morales make this decision, Pacquiao might be left with no other option but to fight reigning WBC super featherweight king Marco Antonio Barrera.
Pacquiao knocked out Barrera in the 11th round of their non-title in 2003. Barrera said recently he wanted another shot at Pacquiao. He gave a date of March 23.
The Filipino icon fighting Barrera just two months before Saturday’s hard-fought contest may be out of the horizon. Pacquiao definitely needs more time to rest.
“I can’t talk to Barrera,” said Arum during the post-fight conference. He added that Morales will also have to consult with his doctors regarding his condition.
“I’m really disappointed with Erik losing and getting knocked down,” said Arum. But he added that he doesn’t mind as long as it’s against “a nice guy like Pacquiao.”
