By DYAN CASTILLEJO-GARCIA
with JACKIE CASTILLEJO

LOS ANGELES - Las Vegas is beautiful especially at a time of the year when the weather is so pleasant. A trip here brought me back to the MGM Grand Arena where Manny Pacquiao had beaten Erik Morales last January. It was the same venue for the big comeback fight of the very popular Oscar de la Hoya with Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga.

Las Vegas was the place where I got the rare privilege to watch a bit of the final fight of the popular boxing reality show, "The Contender." The fight was held at the Aladdin Hotel Theater last February. I was there when Brian Villoria beat up Antonio "El Jaguar" Aguirre of Mexico. I had a great time.

I also met a couple of well-known ESPN boxing commentators and took the opportunity to ask them about their thoughts on the Oscar Larios and Manny Pacquiao fight in Manila this coming July. Brian Kenny, a famous ESPN boxing analyst, was first to respond. Kenny was also a commentator in many of Pacquiao’s fights. After our short talk, I had a chat with another ESPN boxing anchor, Joe Jessitore.

I had a blast chatting with boxers and trainers at Mandalay Bay. I collected their precious insights on "Mano A Mano." Well-known boxers Sugar Shane Mosley and Sergei Liekovic said they believe in Pacquiao's strength. One of the first big names to arrive at the gathering was Angelo Dundee, Muhammad Ali’s former trainer.

Richard Chaeffe, president of Golden Boy Promotions, the Larios management team as well as Brian Villoria were there. It was an awesome night that highlighted Sylvester Stallone's presence. Stallone graciously received the first lifetime cinematic award from the BWAA that night. He was very grateful for it.

Though the weight of the competition was heavy, I have to say, it was also fun. Spectators got a big kick from both fighters hyped up for the battle. Newspapers tried to dishearten them by throwing critisms but they failed as all these were trashed the day before the fight. Both boxers were in great condition and looked so prepared for battle.

During the night of the fight, all roads led to the MGM Grand Arena.

Boxing nights are always so exciting especially when held in the boxing capital of the world -- Las Vegas. You can feel the extreme energy in the whole arena by merely being there. De la Hoya had not fought in more than 20 months. His fight with Mayorga was a huge test to see whether the Golden Boy, the Olympic world champion in six different weight classes, the millionaire and businessman, still possessed that fire in the ring. Surely in each round, it was there. Mayorga was fairly defensive. He landed some punches but was far less aggressive. He was hurt in the 5th round, which resulted to an impressive win by de la Hoya.

A few days later I got the chance to see de la Hoya up close at a press conference by Golden Boy Promotions in Los Angeles. The outfit presented another set of big cards which included Filipino-sensation Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista who was set to fight Roberto Bonillo of Nicaragua.

De la Hoya looked dashing in his elegant suit. The press conference was unique because it was an outdoor program and de la Hoya introduced the fighters himself. I had a sense of pride when de la Hoya threw praises at Boom-Boom and called him "the next Manny Pacquiao." The main card pertained to another Mexican legend, Marco Antonio Barrera. I quickly asked Barrera if he would like to fight Pacquiao. He said he would not hesitate to if it should settle him a score. But he added he could only do that after he beats his opponent, Rocky Juarez, in L.A.

The following night was another fighting night at Staples Center. Again, I was able to witness a huge boxing fight by Boom-Boom. He was impressive, relentless and aggressive from the opening bell until the end of the fight. His opponent apparently had no chance. We rushed to the pinoy locker room after the fight and it was to our surprise that Manny Pacquiao was there. Pacquiao took time out to go to the Staples Center just to watch Boom-Boom's fight. Then Manny decided to take over the mic and do the interview himself. I gladly made him do so.

Up-close with Morales

From Los Angeles, I drove down to San Diego for a very important appointment. I met with Erik “El Terrible” Morales who was knocked down for the very first time in his career by Pacquiao last January. Morales, together with his wife, three-month old son and some friends were strolling down the mall.

Morales sat down with me in a Chinese restaurant for a very interesting chat. Morales said he is happy and contented with his life. He has been getting much of good rest and it has done him well. He said most of his time is spent at home with his wife and new kid. He added that once in a while he attends boxing trainings.

On the upcoming fight between Pacquiao and Larios, Erik hopes Chololo wins because he is a good Mexican fighter though he feels Pacman still has a big chance of winning.

Going up in the weight ladder, Morales said Oscar would be doing some big adjustments. He said Oscar needs to improve on his strength in training and stamina in running. According to Morales, it is Larios' first step up the weight ladder after so many years. Larios' weight went up from 122 to 130 pounds. Fighting heavier will be a problem for him, Morales said. Morales described Manny as technically, a better fighter. He said Larios stands a chance of winning if Pacquiao doesn’t prepare well.

I then changed the topic so we could discuss reasons why he lost his fight against Pacquiao last January. The boxer just answered casually, saying that a lot of things happen which affect the way a boxer fights. He then swore he will clobber Pacquiao on the third fight. He said it would be much easier to knock him down because he is confident of his weight, which is 132 pounds.

He insisted that Pacquiao was scared of him during their ring battles. He said Manny knew how hard his punches were and that he dominated in the last fight. He explained that Pacquio always backed off and was badly hurt when he threw heavy punches on him.

When asked whether he was surprised by Manny's power, Morales replied a big "No."

He was quick to remind me that he was leading from the first to the fifth round. He said it was only when he ran out of fuel and got tired that he allowed Pacquiao to take over the ring.

Morales said he trained well for their battle but some things that bothered him got into his head. He said such things really happen, they only got the best of him at the wrong time. He did not wish to elaborate any more on the things that bothered him.

Erik then expressed his dismay on reports that he had broken his jaw and rib after his fight with Pacquiao. He recalled a party in his house the day after the fight. He even promised to show me pictures of him having a great and fantastic time with his family and friends. Morales said the Filipino and American press fabricated the story that he was hospitalized because of an injury.

Erik Morales said it is because of this that he is eager to fight Pacquiao again for the third time.

He swore that all the popularity Manny has been enjoying since their fight would be gone the next time he meets him in the ring. He said he is sure to beat Pacquiao at 132 pounds.

Morales ended our discussion with a brief message to his fans. He said they should make sure they don't miss the third Pacquiao-Morales fight. He said it would definitely be a fight to remember.

A glimpse of Pacquiao's fight

Manny is back in Los Angeles to train for his upcoming fight with Larios. He will be spending four weeks in USA to train. Pacquiao said he is confident and he knows what his body needs to be in shape for the fight.

I went to accompany Pacquiao in his running routine. After that he brought me to his Porsche to listen to some inspirational music, his new song.

Coach Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, is happy to be working with his favorite boxer again. Freddie wowed at the strength Pacquiao showed from day one of his training. He said he is no longer worried.

Once at the Wild Card Gym, Pacquiao wastes no time. He maximizes his time and trains hard. The Wild Card energy goes up whenever the Pacman is in the house.

I saw Manny do some running. Justine Fortune, Manny's Australian fitness coach, went with Pacquiao and gave hime some serious roadwork at Pan-Pacific Park.

I also witnessed the first day of sparring when Manny hurt his co-fighter, Russian Rustam, quite badly. The fight was hardcore it got blood all over Rustam's shirt.

Manny’s life in Los Angeles revolves around training and his personal hobbies. From training, he immediately goes back to his house to relax, play chess or surf the Internet.

He sees to it that he is able to maintain a healthy mind and body through leisure and proper diet.

Pacquiao is thrilled to fight in front of his countrymen on July 2. He said he will surely be ready for it.