RP’s national treasure Manny Pacquiao said he feels deep sense of pride and great honor for being the first man ever to knock out a revered boxing legend in the caliber of Mexican Erik Morales.
In an electrifying show of speed and power, Pacquiao brutally punished Morales with crisp combinations and then sent the Mexican down on both knees twice in the 10th round for a fantastic knockout victory that lifted the spirit of the entire Filipino nation the other day at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“It is such an honor. Morales is a legend; one of the best of all times. And to knock him out, to be the first person, it is great. I feel great about it,” said Pacquiao, who wishes Morales well after hearing his foe was hospitalized after their match.
“I really hope he is okay at hospital. I just pray for him and make sure he is okay. I know he’ll be fine but since it was because of me that he is there, I pray that everything is okay with him,” added Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, who avenged his loss to Morales during their first encounter 10 months ago at the MGM Grand also in Las Vegas, said his relentless body attacks and the Cleto Reyes gloves he wore really made the difference this time around.
“Well, this time I didn’t have any distractions. I fought the way I wanted to and I was just better. I think it was the body attack that really hurt him,” said Pacquiao. “I think the gloves worked great. They are very comfortable and I like them.”
Pacquiao’s famed trainer Freddie Roach shared the same view with his prized ward.
“Well, look at his (Morales) face. These are puncher’s gloves and I think tonight was proof that the gloves make a huge difference,” said Roach, who owns the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood where Pacman usually trains in preparation for big US fights.
Pacquiao said it was in the eighth round that he knew he would finish off Morales.
“I think I had him sometime in the eighth round. I knew the body punches were wearing him down and I knew that if I could keep landing them, I’d probably get him. My left hand was very (accurate), too. I think around the eighth, I knew I had him,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao also claimed there was never an instance that he was hurt by Morales.
“No. He never hurt me. He is a very sharp puncher and a very accurate puncher, but tonight he never hurt me,” said Pacquiao.
When asked whom he wants to fight next – Marco Antonio or Morales – Pacquiao replied “Rest! I am going home to my country and I will rest. We will discuss who I fight next in the future. But first, I want to be with my family and friends. I want some rest.”
