By Rey Danseco
MANNY Pacquiao wants to solidy his status in his next fight by giving Erik Morales his third straight loss in their rubber match on November 18 at the Thomas and Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Citing he might send Morales into permanent retirement, Pacquiao revealed he will make sure to get into conditioning at least 45 days in the country before he proceeds to American trainer Freddie Roach’s watchful eyes at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood in September.
Pacquiao and Morales split their two previous faced offs in Las Vegas. In the first meeting, Morales prevailed with unanimous decision victory on March 19, 2005 when he utilized his height and reach advantages at the MGM Grand.
With less than a year later on January 21 at the Thomas and Mack Center, Pacquiao avenged his loss with more convincing 10th round knockout, giving Morales his first stoppage loss and back-to-back defeats in his colorful career.
The 27-year old Filipino living legend scored his fourth straight win in as many fights since losing to Morales by teaching another Mexican fighter, Oscar Larios, a neat boxing lesson before the jampacked crowd Sunday morning at the Araneta Coliseum.
After losing to Pacquiao, the 29-year old Mexican ring idol considered hanging up his gloves. His father and long time trainer, Jose "Olivaritos" Morales also suggested his son should prepare to give up fighting.
"Erik (started boxing) at age five and is going 30 years old. The human being also gets tired. Boxing is risky and Erik has had very difficult fights. He has received blows that he did not received before," the old Morales told Mexican newspaper La Opinion few days after the rematch.
But as the third bout is on the table, Morales and his father will join hands in preparation against Pacquiao fight, also starting in September in the Otomi mountains of Mexico.
