By Rey Danseco
Marco Antonio Barrera’s adviser believes Manny Pacquiao will dispose of Erik Morales in their third fight on November 18 in Las Vegas.
Roberto Diaz told this writer, who is the editor of Bagong Tiktik (Spy) Sports and boxing writer of Bandera (Flag), Bulgar (Expose) and Manila Times, in an interview Friday, that Pacquiao is "unbeatable," adding that the Filipino hero will mark another impressive victory similar to his flooring of Morales in their rematch last January.
"I believe as I did in the second fight that Manny will again knock out Erik Morales," said Diaz.
He agreed with Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, that the hard-hitting Filipino must work every round before taking another knockout win in the latter rounds.
"It will be a very hard and exciting war," he said.
Diaz revealed that Barrera, who holds the World Boxing Council super featherweight title, will again pray for Morales’ victory like he did for the January bout at the Thomas and Mack Center, where Pacquiao avenged his March 2005 unanimous decision loss to "El Terrible" by stopping Morales for the first time in his career.
"Marco is rooting for Erik Morales as a fellow Mexican," said Diaz, who made it clear that it should not necessarily mean that Barrera wants a fourth meeting with the fighter from Tijuana.
He also said that Barrera is eyeing a second fight with Pacquiao next year and hopes to get even after "PacMan" stopped him in the 10th round in November 2003 in Texas.
"Well first things first, Marco must defeat Rocky Juarez," said Diaz, referring to Barrera’s challenger for the WBC belt on September 16 at the MGM Grand. "Yes, Marco has been asking for a [second] fight with Manny Pacquiao. Another with Morales is not in our minds, they have had three great fights and I believe that is enough."
Diaz insisted that Juarez is as good a tune-up opponent for Barrera prior to the anticipated defense of his title against Pacquiao.
"My prediction is that we will all see a great fight between Marco and a young hungry fighter in Juarez. The difference is that this time not only the fans and the media will know who won, but Juarez will also know that Marco is the better fighter," he said.
LEAVING FOR L.A
Pacquiao will leave for Los Angeles from his hometown General Santos City via Ninoy Aquino International Airport here in Manila.
Pacquiao wants to see Barrera's performance against Juarez at ringside before he begins his training on September 18 under Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in preparation for Morales.
On September 19, Pacquiao will attend the second press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel that Bob Arum has set for the "Grand Finale".
Morales, who has completed eight weeks of a weight-reduction program under seven experts in Los Angeles, will also attend the event.
