LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – The countdown continues for this weekend’s battle at Pinoy Power III. Filipino boxers are not only confident with their training but also with their goal of winning a world boxing title.

Pinoy Power III, also called Latin Fury XIII, marks Ciso "Kid Terrible" Morales’ debut for a world boxing title.

His opponent, World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico, has a record of 39-2 (with 29 knockouts)—a big difference compared to Morales’ record of 14-0 (8 KOs).

Nevertheless, Morales is still strong-minded and dogged to take the 12-round bout as a challenge even though he is the underdog.

“Pagbutihan basta matamaan lang siya. Palawakin ko kaagad ang cut,” said Morales.

Their Morales-Montiel match will take place on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Final training days

Morales, who already arrived in Las Vegas, is entering his final training days for the fight.

He is being trained and coached by Nonito Donaire, Sr. He said that they already have a game plan to put Montiel on the canvass—an “in and out” and an old style defense.

Donaire Sr. said they will take advantage of Montiel's overconfidence.

“Ina-underestimate niya si Ciso tsaka nag-lu-look forward na siya kaagad sa next opponent,” Donaire Sr. said of the Mexican champ.

As of posting time, Morales is at 121 pounds. He just has 4 pounds to lose before the weigh-in on Friday, February 12 (Saturday in Manila).

'Good luck, my son'

Donaire Sr., meanwhile, wishes his son, Nonito “the Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. luck in facing Mexican Gerson “El Nene” Guerrero.

Nonito Jr.'s fight is the main event of Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury XIII. He will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight title. (abs-cbnnews.com/sports/02/09/10/donaire-give-his-all-pinoy-power-3)

The elder Donaire said that even though he is not on Nonito Jr.’s corner, he still supports his son.

“At least kahit na yung malayo ang gap ng relasyon namin, pero as a father, hindi mawawala ang pagmamahal ng isang ama sa kaniyang anak. Pero ‘di mo lang masasabi kung ang anak ay may pagmamahal sa kaniyang magulang,” said Donaire Sr.

ABS-CBN’s live telecast of Pinoy Power 3 will be aired on Channel 2 on Sunday, February 14 at 10:30 a.m. Replays will be shown on the same day on Studio 23 at 8 p.m. and ABS-CBN’s “Sunday’s Best” at 10:30 p.m. Pinoy Power 3 replays will also be shown on SkyCable TV’s Balls Channel on February 16 at 4 p.m. and February 18 at 9 p.m.

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