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Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Pacman to take on Morales
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
FORGET Juan Manuel Marquez.
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao will take on former world boxing champion Erik "El Terrible" Morales on March 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
According to reports, the fight, dubbed "Bring It On", will be distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View. The card will be promoted by Top Rank in cooperation with Murad Muhammad, Pacquiao's New Jersey-based promoter.
The 12-round battle will be at 130 pounds, a weight category Pacquiao has never ventured into before, although he will be getting a huge paycheck of $1.5 million.
The boxing website Fightnews.com said the deal was sealed after negotiations for a Pacquiao-Marquez rematch this Feb. 26 collapsed.
Marquez, the World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) featherweight champ, had asked for higher pay to meet the Filipino ring gladiator.
"The fighters will discuss this match-up at a press conference to be held in Los Angeles," Fightnews.com reported.
Pacquiao, Ring Magazine featherweight champion, is now in Los Angeles to resume training at the Wild Card Gym of American trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao, a native of Gen. Santos City, reportedly watched countryman, pool wizard Efren `Bata' Reyes, played yesterday morning and was mobbed by Filipino fans.
Much as Pacquiao wanted to face Marquez again, the Morales deal was reportedly a "better fight and a better deal," sources close to the Filipino camp said.
Morales is coming off a loss to Marco Antonio Barrera, who dethroned him for the World Boxing Council super feather title in November last year.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, crushed Thai Fahsan 3K Battery the fourth round in Taguig last month. Pacquiao had beaten Barrera via a stunning 11-round TKO in 2003, and engaged Marquez to a bloody draw May of 2004 where he floored his rival three times in the first round.
Now, Pacquiao finally has the chance to test the mettle of Morales.
(January 12, 2005 issue)
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