By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Respected Editor-in-Chief Nigel Collins of Ring Magazine, the acknowledged "Bible" of boxing says the photos of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and legendary Mexican Erik "El Terrible"Morales at last week's press conference in Las Vegas were "very revealing."
Collins said both fighters looked out of shape, especially Morales who "sported a gut and an extra chin. I think he is going to be weak at 130 and take another bad beating."
However, Morales claimed yesterday to have shed seven kilograms or just over 15 pounds since working with a team of doctors and experts at the Velocity Sports Performance Gym in Los Angeles and said he does not feel weak.
The Los Angeles facility, one of several cross the United States, is designed to help athletes who wish to get stronger and faster .Morales is reportedly working with seven nutrition, conditioning and training experts.
In a story by Ernesto Castellanos of ESTO, Morales said he was "extremely satisfied" with the work aimed at reducing his weight to 130 pounds for the rubber match with Pacquiao without being weakened in the process. The fight is scheduled for November 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Morales disclosed he will be in the hands of the group of experts for almost one month before he moves to the Ceremonial Center in the refreshing mountains of The Otomi to concentrate on his training for the Pacquiao fight. It is the same venue where Morales trained for his first fight with Pacquiao which he won by a unanimous decision after Pacquiao suffered a nasty gash over his eye due to an accidental head-butt in the fifth round.
Morales said he is subjected to "diverse works" from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and that he has three meals a day and does not remain hungry. Morales was quoted as saying "the diet that they have given me is not rigorous." Among the omitted are candies, bread, omelettes , desert and soft drinks.
Morales said he hasn't been "bored" because in the afternoon " I dedicate time to my family, to my wide Andrea and my son Erik Isaac."
