LAS VEGAS ? Manny Pacquiao will have the antidote to whatever Erik Morales will bring to the ring on Saturday night. Armed with an unprecedented 157 rounds of sparring, Pacquiao gave a handful of scribes on Monday, a peek into what could take place at the Thomas and Mack Center, just a few hours before he plunged into training at a gym inside the IBA Compound on Euclid Street.
“Susubukan ni Morales na ma-knockout ako sa first five rounds dahil doon lang siya malakas,” said Pacquiao, who was visibly upbeat as he answered a series of questions covering topics such as his personal thoughts, the odds, the weight issue and even the gameplan.
Pacquiao was obviously aware of Morales? difficulties making the superfeatherweight limit of 130 lbs. and he won?t certainly be surprised if his proud foe experiences problems going down to that level during Friday?s official weigh-in.
Still, Pacquiao is not ruling out the possibility of Morales fighting at a safe distance although the 30-year-old Tijuana native is not accustomed to it and sheer Mexican pride would drive him to engage the Filipino hotshot in a toe-to-toe exchange.
Once that happens, Pacquiao would not hesitate to unload and get the job done.
“Pwede rin kasing tumakbo si Morales pero tingin ko susugod yan at oras na gawin niya iyun at wala siyang depensa, pasok na pasok ang right hook ko,” said Pacquiao.
“Mataas ang kumpiyansa ko sa aking sarili. Hindi naman ako over-confident tiwala lang,” said Pacquiao, who hardly took note of the overwhelming odds stacked against Morales in this weekend?s megabuck match.
Pacquiao also stressed that the loser of Saturday?s clash dubbed The Grand Finale can?t afford to offer excuses.
“Walang rason ang bawat isa sa amin na magbigay ng dahilan pagkatapos ng laban. No excuses. Preparado ako at alam kong siya ay ganoon din.”
Pacquiao?s afternoon workout was supervised by Freddie Roach, who had to turn off the timer to make sure that the fighter, who becomes workaholic during training, does not exert more than what is required of him.
“Pinatay nga ni coach (Freddie) yung timer kasi kapag merong timer hindi ako tumitigil sa pag-mitts kahit na tumunog na ang buzzer,” said Pacquiao laughing.
Pacquiao will continue to train until Thursday and Tuesday?s workout will be open to the media starting at 2 p.m.
When informed about the odds, Pacquiao just shrugged as though he did not understood what the current odds were.
“Wala iyan,” said Pacquiao as he glanced over the white sheet that came from the betting station at the lobby of Wynn Las Vegas. “Papel lang yan.” Pacquiao remains the huge favorite at -220 and Morales at +190 after opening a few weeks ago at -185 and +165, respectively.
In the will go 12 rounds category, a bet 5 gets a return of only 0, while in the won?t go (12 rounds), a bet of 0 wins 5. Other sidebets include Morales by decision (5/2), Morales by KO (4/1), Pacquiao by decision (7/5), Pacquiao by KO (2/1) and draw (12/1). If the bout is declared “No-Contest”, according to the race and sports book sheet, all wagers and its propositions will be refunded.
