By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Top Ran Chairman Bob Arum who together with Murad Muhammad of M&M Sports is putting together the epic showdown between Erik "El Terrible" Morales and Manny Pacquiao this Saturday extolled the virtues of loyalty shown by the former three-time world champion in the midst of a word war between Murad and trainer Freddie Roach that appeared to have created ripples among the media in the US and Pacquiao's signing up with a new management team just weeks before a defining fight in his career.
The differences within the Pacquiao camp surfaced after Roach was quoted as saying that Murad had "sold out" on the issue of the gloves to be worn in the fight by agreeing to use the brand "Winning" which was favored by Morales. Roach had apparently preferred the Mexican brand "Cleto Reyes" which had less padding and was described as a "puncher's gloves" by Roach himself. However, Roach quickly backed off saying no matter what gloves Pacquiao used he would knock out Morales while Pacquiao himself said it was no big issue and any gloves would do.
Murad took a former Manila reporter who filed the story to task and was later quoted as saying Roach didn't know how to wrap hands properly pointing to injuries suffered by Pacquiao, his brother Bobby Pacquiao who trained at Roach's Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and Z "The Dream" Gorres who also reportedly hurt his hand in training.
A confrontation at the press conference was averted and Murad eased the situation somewhat when he referred to Roach as a "renowned trainer" during his remarks. The differences if any appeared to be part of the usual tensions that build up prior to any major fight and the Pacquiao-Morales showdown is bigger than most with a lot riding on it for both camps.
In introducing Morales at the press conference, Arum said there are "people you do so much for that turn their back on you, insult you just because you don't make a headline. We love Erik because he epitomizes what loyalty means and what loyalty is. Some years from now when I look back on my boxing career and they ask me who my favorite fighters were you better believe that the name Erik Morales will appear on the list because it has been and always will be an utter joy to promote this man....one of the great fighters of our time."