GENERAL Santos City -- Filipino boxing superstar Manny
"Pacman" Pacquiao said that he will start training in
August for this third encounter with Meximan Eric
Morales on Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in
Las Vegas.
"Dugay nako andam kay Morales," said Pacquiao, who
scored a convincing 12-round decision over another
Mexican Oscar Larios last July 2 at the Araneta
Coliseum.
Pacquiao said that Morales is different from Larios.
"Mas malakas pa rin si Morales kay Larios. Kaya kung
ano yung ginawa ko dati sa preparasyon, hihigitan ko
pa," said Pacquiao, who was given yesterday another
hero's welcome by the city headed by Mayor Pedro
Acharon Jr.
But a lesser crowd greeted him at the Oval Plaza
covered compared to the past homecomings due to the
last minute preparations. Pacquiao and his entourage
including his family arrived from Manila at past 10
a.m. aboard the Philippine Airlines plane.
He boarded a float together with Acharon and former
world boxing champion Rolando "Bad Boy from Dadiangas"
Navarette Sr. during a motorcade around the city's
main streets.
Pacquiao, 27 also received yesterday a plaque of
Presidential Award and a pin as honorary member of the
Fraternal Order of Eagles-GenSan Chapter led by its
president Gary Khemani and past president John Paul
Jubelag at the oval plaza. Pacquiao also promised to
donate for the medicines of the Eagles' medical and
dental mission set this month.
Pacquiao denied that he intentionally had the fight
longer against Larios in favor of the sponsors of his
MP Promotions. Pacquiao said he knew from the start,
there was no way the Mexican could beat him.
"Naging maingat lang ako dahil alam kong naghahanap
din ng lucky punch si Larios," Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao said he will be training more than 10 weeks
to be in the best shape of his career against Morales
and to retire the Mexican warrior known as "El
Terrible."
Pacquiao is reportedly guaranteed $3 million for the
fight plus 50 percent of the pay-per-view earnings net
of expenses. His share of the pay-per-view upside was
40 percent and his purse was $2 million for the
Morales fight last January.
MGM Grand and Caesar?s Palace are bidding to co-host
the rubber match, indicating expectations of a huge
turnout for the fight at the 16,000-seat stadium. The
Wynn Hotel hosted the previous bout.
Pacquiao said he?s looking forward to facing World
Boxing Council superfeatherweight champion Marco
Antonio Barrera in a rematch after taking care of
Morales.
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