Pacquiao-Morales III at 132 lbs — Arum

[Alibata]

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006021256094.html

Told y'all this would only happen at this weight. To proud for just 2lbs.

[Alibata]

La Opinion Version:

Here's the Spanish article in La Opinion:

Manny-Erik va en grande

La tercera pelea entre el mexicano Erik Morales contra el filipino Manny Pacquiao, programada para el 16 de septiembre de 2006, tendrá como escenario el estadio Sam Boyd en Las Vegas, y el promotor Bob Arum espera atiborrarlo con 27 mil asientos.

Pacquiao, convertido en la figura del momento tras noquear al ex triple campeón en el décimo asalto el pasado 21 de enero en el Thomas & Mack Center, tendrá la difícil tarea de llenar ese coso, que normalmente es utilizado para juegos de futbol americano, aunque también se espera que los seguidores del “Terrible” lleguen en masa para apoyarlo.

“El escenario ya está aprobado. La televisión saldrá de entre HBO o Showtime, la que mejor pague, y nuestra meta y la de los peleadores será ocupar los 27 mil asientos que estarán disponibles para un evento de esta magnitud”, comentó ayer Arum.

“Con tantos años en este deporte, no tengo ninguna duda de que Pacquiao y Morales llenarán ese estadio; existen varias razones, una de ellas es que ambos atraerán a sus propias fanaticadas y nadie querrá perderse esta nueva trilogía que espero gane el ‘Terrible’, pues se vio que no realizó un buen trabajo para la segunda pelea”, agregó el promotor.

Otra de las cosas que mencionó el también abogado neoyorquino fue que el peso de 132 libras ya fue aceptado por la gente de Pacquiao y obviamente por Morales, quien saldría un poco beneficiado ya que sudó la gota gorda para dar el peso oficial de las 130 libras.

Finalmente, el costo del boleto más barato será de 20 dólares, rompiendo así con una tradición para un escenario de Las Vegas que data desde la década de los 70, cuando era normal adquirir un boleto a ese precio para asistir a las grandes veladas de antaño.

Nota de La Opinión

[xcaret]

"Erik Morales might go back to training under his father or hire a new trainer when he gears up for a third bout with Manny Pacquiao on September 16, according to Internet reports on Tuesday."

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=29373

[grayfist]

I think it's best to wait for the official announcement.

Days ago, Arum announced just about the same thing: that Garry Shaw and company have agreed to 132, but Pacquiao quickly said he won't do it. Pac has the final say. Garry should know that after the Winky experience, where, for a while, he was left to hang out to dry.

The raised weight limit may have much to do with the expressed opinion coming from several quarters that a 3rd meeting is not all that widely anticipated; a survey I came accross with indicates that, far and away, most boxing fans in ConUS and other places favor a Barrera-Pac II at 130 lbs. more than they like a third Pac-Morales. Right or wrong, the 132 weight limit is therefore presented as a sort of a try at levelling the playing field. Make the fight more interesting; more "promotable."

I'm not sure that Manny can be persuaded by Shaw et al to take the condition. Pac is by no means that dumb: he knows that he is commited, per rematch clause, to fight only at 130. Also, he has gone straight to HBO for the arrangement to have his tune-up fight staged in his home country and he has the financial backing of Southeast Asia's biggest food and beverage conglomerate. A taste of that power can make him a tad stubborn. And, that may be for his own good.

[SilentButViolent]

Pacquiao will fight in Manila before the rubbermatch

[Papa Ace]

yeah lets just wait for the official statement. this is actually a big trap for pac. the extra 2 pounds is actually a BIG difference. we all know that after the weigh-in fighters usually goes to their comfortable fighting weights. pac fought at 127 1/2 during EM-Pac 3 while EM went to about 133. If the fight would be held at 132, then if Pac decided to stick to his 128 fighting form then he'll have to shell out a lot more than what he should normally do (on 130). EM will have an easy time climbing up, even to 135. Imagine if Pac would be on 128 and EM at 135 that'll be a great difference. I cant beleive this early, Arum and Erik's camp is trying to pull a fast one on Pac. pac's camp shouldnt be dumb this time.

[JaNnO]

i believe both pac and erik weighed 140lbs as per hbo's tale of the tape on fight night.

[MEXICAN_PRIDE]

I cant beleive this early, Arum and Erik's camp is trying to pull a fast one on Pac. pac's camp shouldnt be dumb this time.

It sounds to me like a done deal, I mean I don't know where you are from but this Friday(last night). Pac's trainer Freddie Roach was a guest on "Friday Night Fights" and the commentators mentioned the trilogy and Roach sounded like it's a go for September 16th.

I don't like the idea either and I don't know why Pac's handler's are even okay with this. I would just play hardball, until the next "big-name" victim comes along. Just like I said all along all these promoters are one big fraternity.

[JaNnO]

well, interviews of pac in the philippines show otherwise. he has been steadfast that there is no way he will fight morales at 132lbs. he said the contract he signed for the rematch was at 130lbs and not 132lbs and he sees arum's deal as a way to save erik's face. he feels that the additional 2lbs shaw is asking will give morales a big advantage which he is not willing to give, at least for the moment.

money talks imo, but i hope team manny is not going to be suckered to just give in to shaw's demand easily without asking for something in return. anyways, manny has the last word and even if he decided not to fight erik in a rubber match he is not liable to breach of contract.

[AIR_KENG]

well, interviews of pac in the philippines show otherwise. he has been steadfast that there is no way he will fight morales at 132lbs. he said the contract he signed for the rematch was at 130lbs and not 132lbs and he sees arum's deal as a way to save erik's face. he feels that the additional 2lbs shaw is asking will give morales a big advantage which he is not willing to give, at least for the moment.

money talks imo, but i hope team manny is not going to be suckered to just give in to shaw's demand easily without asking for something in return. anyways, manny has the last word and even if he decided not to fight erik in a rubber much he is not liable to breach of contract.

i hope arum won't pull out another murad from the present pac camp... that would be really unfair for manny...