Erik Morales: "Let's Go To War"

By Sammy Rozenberg (AP/BoxingScene)

Live at the Erik Morales-Manny Pacquiao press conference in Los Angeles for their March 19th, 2005 bout. BoxingScene got a chance to catch Erik Morales and get his thoughts on the upcoming mega fight with Manny Pacquiao.

BoxingScene: Erik, some think it's a very bold move for you to fight an opponent like Manny Pacquiao this soon after suffering a loss in your third fight with Marco Antonio Barrera.

Erik Morales: I thought I won my last fight with Barrera so I don't look at my last fight as a defeat. I don't go after easy fights. I like to fight the best in the world. We both want the fight, this is the fight everyone wants so it's the fight I'm going to take.

BoxingScene: Pacquiao is a pressure fighter who uses his speed and power to press his opponents back. Do you find his style difficult to combat?

Erik Morales: He's not an easy opponent but, I don't look to fight easy opponents. He fights from odd angles, he's fast and punches hard but I know what I have to do to win. I'm the bigger man, I think I punch harder then Pacquiao. I have experience on my side, I've been in these big fights many times before.

BoxingScene: His camp feels your the right style for him and your camp feels he's the right style for you. It seems like we may have a perfect match.

Erik Morales: It's a good matching of styles, I'm looking forward to the fight, it will be a great fight.

BoxingScene: What can we expect if Manny tries to make it an early war?

Erik Morales: An early night for him. If he wants to go to war then let's go to war. We can box, we can fight, I'm ready for anything they bring.

BoxingScene: Do you respect the power of Pacquiao?

Erik Morales: Yes, I know he can punch, I don't make the mistake of overlooking my opponents.

BoxingScene: Do you think that his camp made the decision to fight you based on the Barrera fight? They thought now may be the right time to fight you?

Erik Morales: Maybe, who knows. That would be a mistake. I wasn't myself in that fight, there were problems, I didn't feel right. I will be ready for this challenge from Pacquiao and will give everything for the victory.

BoxingScene: One last think Erik. Should you defeat Pacquiao, will you look to get Barrera in the ring again or move up to 135?

Erik Morales: I don't know at this time. After my next fight I'll see what I'm going to do.

BoxingScene: Thank you for your time Erik.