By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Erik "El Terrible" Morales has conceded that Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao has the speed and "looks very fast" but insists that he can "overcome that because I have more experience."
In an exclusive interview with Viva Sports, Philippines, the former WBC super featherweight champion noted that he enjoyed a height advantage over Pacquiao but was cautious about whether this will turn into a plus in the ring. Morales said "I can't tell whether my height will be an advantage until I get into the ring." However, the most popular Mexican fighter said his "determination" and the fact that he possesses "the biggest heart" will turn the tide in his favor on March 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Morales said he agreed to fight Pacquiao instead of taking on an easier opponent after his loss to Marco Antonio Barrera because "I want to fight the best and Pacquiao is one of the best." In fact, Morales said that although he was a Mexican like WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez who pulled off a controversial draw against Pacquiao last May despite being dropped three times in the very first round, he thought "Pacquiao won over Marquez."
Top Rank's Bob Arum who put the fight together with international promoter Murad Muhammad said the Morales-Pacquiao showdown was a "much better fight" than the planned rematch with Marquez because Morales was "the most popular Mexican fighter and there are two million Filipinos living in the US who support Pacquiao" underscoring the fact that this "fantastic event" should bring in huge pay-per-view numbers and a jam-packed MGM Grand.
Arum said "this is a great way to start off the year. The one thing boxing needs is great fights and this fight between Erik and Manny, everybody knows this will be a great fight and will be a tribute to the sport of boxing." Arum said Morales and Pacquiao "know ine thing and that is when the bell rings, they will come out to fight. They will bring it on. They will give everything they have and they will entertain the fans throughout the world giving a great performance and providing tremendous excitement."
A spokesman for the MGM Grand praised Arum and international promoter Murad Muhammad for joining hands to give fans what may well be the fight of the year. He said "Murad comes in and does something great and then we don't see him for a year or two. Then he comes back even stronger. He's amazing. He's a survivor." Referring to the March 19 main event, the spokesman said "this is a helluva way to start the year. Put the gloves on, ring the bell and hold on to your chair."
Meantime, Pacquiao's wife Jinkee and their eldest son Emmanuel Jr are scheduled to leave aboard a Philippine Airlines flight for Los Angeles tonight at the request of Pacquiao. Jinkee told Viva Sports/Manila Standard that she would return to Manila on February 5 and then leave again for the US about a week before the Morales
fight.
