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Friday, February 03, 2006
Pacquiao okays third fight v. Morales: ‘So he can retire’
Manny Pacquiao has no problems with a third fight against Erik Morales. In fact, the Filipino boxing hero doesn’t care who comes next in the list as long as the fight is at 130 pounds and, perhaps more importantly, the opponent’s not a Filipino.
Pacquiao, in Cebu yesterday to get a visa from the Japanese embassy, said Morales’ camp is eager for a third fight, which could break the deadlock after each won a fight in their first two encounters.
Morales won the first fight last year by a close unanimous decision, while Pacquiao evened the count after a convincing 10th-round technical knockout last Jan. 22 in Las Vegas. The first fight was adjudged recently as the World Boxing Council’s 2005 Fight of the Year during the WBC Night of Champions in Cancun, Mexico.
Retirement
Pacquiao’s immediate reaction on a possible third fight drew laughter from the crowd, but loaded in it was a chilling message to Morales: “Sige para tuluyan na siyang mag-retire (I can send him to retirement).”
Although he’s just as interested in a third encounter against Morales, Pacquaio said it’s up to his manager to find the best fight for him.
“Tumawag sa akin ang aking manager (American Shiley Finkel) kahapon dahil gusto daw talaga ni Morales ng third fight (My manager told me yesterday that Morales wants a third fight),” said Pacquiao. “Sinabi ko na kahit sino basta sa 130lb ang laban (I told him I’ll fight anybody as long as it’s at 130lb).”
The third fight, which is included in the contract of their Jan. 22 fight, may be held in September. In between, Pacquiao said he wants to have a tune-up fight in the Philippines, possibly in April or May.
“Gusto ko sanang lumaban dito sa atin para sa isang tune-up bout (I would want a tune-up fight to be held in the country),” said Pacquiao. “Pero kung gusto nila na kaagad ang rematch, lalaban tayo kahit saan (But if they want the rematch immediately, I’ll fight anywhere).”
Despite his impressive win, Pacquiao said he’ll also have to watch out for Morales when they meet again. He expects Morales to be hungry for a win, eyeing for vengeance.
OPBF title fights
“Magandang laban ito (It will be a good fight),” Pacquiao said. “Pero mag-ingat siya, paghahandaan ko siya ng mabuti (He also has to be careful).”
Meanwhile, Pacquiao, accompanied by close friend, Cebuano boxing promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud, got his visitor’s visa to Japan yesterday. Pacquiao will leave for Manila today and then proceed to Japan tomorrow, where he will watch Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champions Randy “Kumo’ng Bato” Suico and Malcolm “Eagle Eye” Tuñacao defend their titles.
Both members of the Cebuano Golden Boys, Suico and Tuñacao will fight Japanese challengers on Sunday in Nagoya, Japan. Suico will defend his super-featherweight title against Ryuhei Sugita, while Tuñacao will make his first OPBF bantamweight title defense against Kohei Ohba. (JCT with RCM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 3 2006 issue)
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