Friday, February 18, 2005
Roach insists Morales is hittable
By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
ERIK Morales says he is ready for Manny Pacquiao and his vaunted left hand, but the Filipino ring gladiator's camp is oozing with confidence he can get the job done four weeks from their March 19 showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Morales, as usual, refused to be cowed by pre-fight predictions and on-line polls showing Pacquiao the clear winner.
"There is nothing better than standing before a fighter and seeing how he reacts, how he plans to attack. I live for that," Morales said in an interview released by Top Rank to Fightnews.com.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, said he will be on the offensive come fight night.
And once the fight gets started, the all-out attack will take its toll on Morales, according the Filpino's trainer, Freddie Roach.
"Morales has one weakness, he's hittable and Manny Pacquiao is going to be in front of him every minute, every second on March 19," Roach said.
Morales' trainer/father, Jose Morales, said: "Anyone who puts on the gloves and gets into a ring is dangerous. That's what this business is all about."
Meanwhile, the camp of Marco Antonio Barrera is rooting for Pacquiao is this fight.
Barrera, who beat Morales for the World Boxing Council super featherweight title last November, reportedly wants to avenge his loss to the Pacman in 2002.
"We want to see a Barrera-Pacquiao II or even Barrera-Pacquiao III. We no longer want Barrera-Morales IV," Roberto Diaz, Barrera's right hand man, said.
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(February 18, 2005 issue)
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