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Pacquiao-Morales 3 |
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October 28, 2006
*** The Pacquiao-Morales rivalry is one of the most exciting in boxing today. It all started at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas in January 2005. The Pinoy and Mexican went head-to-head in a classic battle that saw both fighters slug it out from the opening bell. It was a dramatic fight. Pacquiao had blood gushing from his head after an accidental head butt during the 5th round. It didn’t take away Pacquiao’s intensity though. He said he fought until the end even when he was blinded. The 12th and final round will always be remembered because Pacquiao gave it his all. Morales, however, edged out Pacquiao by the judges’ unanimous decision. Manny was sent to hospital but a few hours later, when he was already inside a limousine, Pacquiao said he wanted a rematch. He said he felt bad letting the country down. Ten months later, Pacquiao got that chance. Everything was in order. He fought with his gloves, he trained hard with no distractions. Pacquiao-Morales Part 2, also held at Thomas and Mack Center, had all fight fans at the edge of their seats. Morales seemed to lead in the first few rounds but during the 5th onwards, the Filipino boxer got the best of the battle sending El Terrible down in the tenth round. It was the first fall in Morales' 14 years of professional boxing career. A second fall and the fight was stopped. Pacquiao had beaten Mexico's legend Erik Morales. One all.
The last time I was in Mexico, I made a stop in Guadalajara. This time, I went to Mexico City, the capital of Mexico with about 18 million residents. I stopped at a local boxing gym where I saw more than 50 boxers all hoping to make it in the pro league. Erik Morales used to train here for the upcoming fight. I made my way to a town nearer to the Otomi Mountains. I was very excited to be able to go up to the Otomi where Morales has trained in the last ten years. I learned it is a place especially reserved for Mexico’s best athletes to retreat to when preparing for big fights. Many of those who go here are boxers. We were not allowed to see any video clip of the Otomi before because Morales liked to keep his training very private. It is only now that he became more open. Otomi was a very chilly place. It is 12,000 feet above the eye level. Erik was having a massage when we arrived in the dining room. I met up with some members of his team. There were about 10 of them up there-- the fitness coach, the head coach, his father and his old team way back. First, I met up with the cook who showed me what food and drink he prepares for Morales everyday. The place was simple. There were no frills and it was so quiet. Morales has been here a month and still has a couple of weeks to go. This is the atmosphere Morales likes whever he trains and it has brought him much success in his 14 years of boxing.
Before getting into boxing issues, Morales joked around asking me about Manny Pacquiao's singing career. Erik said he used to manage a couple of Mexican bands and he likes good music but definitely not Pacquiao's. Erik was very relaxed. He answered all sorts of question ranging from whether he can reach the apt weight, why he lost the last time and why it won’t happen again, and why his father is back as head coach. Morales said he has been training for 20 weeks for this fight and he is dead serious about winning. He is also very confident that he will. The Mexican said he has many advantages against Pacquiao. He said the fire within him that wants to win so badly will make him win. ***
With Manny's hardcore training, Freddie boldly predicts another knockout win for his favorite pupil. Manny is the superstar of the Wild Card gym. Everyone takes notice of the champion on the ring. Other Pinoys training at gym are brother Bobby, who will fight on November 16 in Las Vegas, and Ernel Fontanilla, who will see action as one of the undercards in the Pacquiao-Morales fight. Gerry Peñalosa is also training at Wild Card. He has already won his bout against Mauricio Martinez of Panama in Texas. All boxers are convinced that Manny will triumph. Former heavyweight champion James Toney who visited Manny's training could tell that Morales has got the fall. Everybody believes in Pacquiao especially his fellow Pinoy boxers. Many of them travel from different states just to see their hero in action.
Running composes half of the conditioning exercises for the ring.Manny and the other Pinoys run six days a week at Pan Pacific and three times at Griffith Park. This is the discipline. The Griffith Park run is a killer 45-minute run, almost all uphill. From the faces of the boxers, you can tell that it is painful. The fight against Morales is probably the toughest for Pacquiao and he knows he has to go through the run. After running, Manny works on his abs. At the apartment, which Manny rents, he loosens up by joking around with his friends. Meals cooked here are healthy. Manny eats two heavy meals a day, lots of rice. Manny also surfs the Web from time to time. We even showed him a video of his new baby born in General Santos City last October 1. Manny played Mary Divine Grace's video two or three times. He was so proud of his first baby girl. Manny Pacquiao is ready for action. |
See how Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao and Erik “El Terrible” Morales are both doing before their most anticipated fight—Pacquiao Vs. Morales “The Grand Finale” to be held on November 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Since he lost to Manny last January, Morales didn’t show up at post-fight press conferences. Only on May this year did Morales grant Sports Unlimited an interview in San Diego, California, where he lives. Morales showed up with his wife and new baby looking well-rested, healthy and happy. Six months after losing to Pacquiao, Erik disclosed his thoughts on his first ever knockout. He said he lost not because Manny was strong, but because he was out of shape and didn’t come prepared for the fight. Erik reminded me that he was leading until the fifth round but ran out of fuel starting the next. He promised he would come back and prove in this third encounter that he has always been the better fighter.
After an hour and a half, El Terrible showed up looking leaner, strong and fresh. He went to the kitchen to help with the cooking. He ate and then sat down for an interesting chat. The first thing he told me was that he wanted to do the interview in English, his first ever.
I got to see Manny in the first couple of minutes of his training. Manny is very much in shape and his moves are so fast. He was already on the highest gear when the first minute on the ring started. He was super energetic, enthusiastic and extremely quick. He looked motivated. I asked Buboy what vitamins they have been giving him as it seemed that Manny was overflowing with speed and power. The sound of his powerful blows reverberated in the entire gym. Coach Freddie Roach ordered eight rounds but Manny did 10. Manny's clobber was so strong that Buboy’s hands would tremble. No one can beat Pacquiao in shadow boxing. The constant communication with coach helped Manny learn the moves and combinations better and improve his defense. Freddie Roach is still the head coach of the Philippines team. Manny also brought Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri in his training. Justin Fortune was the one who supervised his conditioning. 
One exemplary thing about Manny is that he works so hard and never forgets to relax both his mind and body. The Pacman loves to sing. Right below the Wild Card is a Thai restaurant where Manny frequents with his friends after training. Manny loves to sing and play his guitar. Never mind what Morales said.