By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Manny Pacquiao, relaxing in his rooster farm in Sarangani yesterday flatly refused to give Erik "El Terrible" Morales a third fight under the terms of their rematch contract if the Mexican and promoter Bob Arum insist on fighting at 132 pounds.
Pacquiao said "I am not crazy. Even in the last fight I weighed only 128.5 pounds so why should I give him such a big advantage? No way will I move up."
The Filipino national treasure said the insistence of Arum and Morales on a catch-weight of 132 pounds may be their way out of facing another beating at the hands of the southpaw who has added a vicious right to go along with his devastating left straight. Pacquiao said "maybe they don’t want to fight me anymore so they put an obstacle knowing I will refuse."
Pacquiao said he beat Morales badly and knocked him out. in the process stunning his manager Fernando Beltran who boasted that his fighter wouldn’t be knocked down. Pacquiao admitted that at 132 pounds Morales will have an advantage which he is not willing to concede. Pacquiao noted that their first two fights were at 130 pounds and it was only logical for their so-called trilogy to be at the same weight.
Indications are that with the multi-million peso partnership entered into with the country’s flagship company San Miguel Corporation, even big money dangled before him for a third Morales fight over the 130 pound limit won’t entice "Pac-man" who said there are several other good and exciting opponents at 130 pounds, a weight he is comfortable with.
Pacquiao’s manager Shelly Finkel was quoted by Dan Rafael in ESPN that Arum "would like the fight to be at 132 and we’ll figure something out to make it happen. Its not going to be a deal breaker." However, if Pacquiao has his way, then insisting on 132 pounds will be a deal-breaker.
Pacquiao confirmed he will be in Manila to attend Game 1 of the Philippine Basketball Association best-of-seven championship series between Purefoods Chunkee Giants and Red Bull at the Araneta Coliseum tomorrow. Pacquiao has been invited as special guest and will toss the ceremonial ball. Pacquiao is an avid basketball fan and plays the game with a passion. He also has a team which competes in tournaments in Southern Philippines.
