LAS VEGAS, NV (November 10, 2006) — Back-to-back media events concluded a busy week for boxing’s pound-for-pound most exciting fighter, MANNY “PACMAN” PACQUIAO, as he prepares for “The Grand Finale!” — the rubber match between Pacquiao, the pride of the Philippines, and fellow three-division world champion and national icon ERIK “EL TERRIBLE” MORALES of Mexico. Pacquiao and Morales, each with a victory over the other, have fought before two sellout crowds in Las Vegas and a combined pay-per-view audience of over 700,000. This time it’s for keeps. The deciding fight of their amazing trilogy — a 12-round WBC International super featherweight championship — takes place next week! ..
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Wynn Las Vegas, the Pacquiao-Morales rumble will be Saturday, November 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center, broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 P.M. ET / 6 P.M. PT. With another sellout already projected, promoter Bob Arum is trying to line up closed-circuit venues throughout Las Vegas to accommodate the fans.
At yesterday’s non-stop two-hour media workout at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, CA and on today’s media conference call, Pacquiao was adamant that this would not be HIS grand finale, but the next step in his Hall of Fame career:
“I must win,” stated Pacquiao “Our fight is bigger than the two of us because we carry more into the ring than most other fighters. We carry the heart and soul of our people, and the pride and honor of our nations. The pressure on us is enormous which is why I will be on the attack the second I hear the bell for round one. But there can only be one winner and that winner must be me and it will be me.”
Roach was no shrinking violet when asked his opinion:
“Velocity, Velocity. Velocity. That’s all I hear when Morales and his team talk,” said Roach. “All I know is this, Velocity cannot go in the ring with Morales when he faces Manny on November 18. Erik is an old school fighter. What could Velocity possibly teach him that he didn’t already know?” There are only two questions in this fight. ‘Does Morales have one more fight left in him? and What’s he got left?’ I know he has guts and I know he is going to go all out. I just don’t think that will be enough to keep Manny off of him. Manny is now a true 130-pounder. Manny is still developing…evolving…and improving. As dominant as he was in the second fight, he will be twice as dangerous this fight. Morales has no idea what’s in store for him next week. Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s new No.1 pound-for-pound fighter.”
Team Pacquiao and Team Morales are scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas on Sunday and Monday, respectively.