Pacquiao raring for Morales rematch

On the night of his departure for the United States, Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao sounded more concern on his hotly-anticipated rematch with Mexican star Erik Morales rather then his forthcoming bout against another Mexican warrior Hector Velasquez.

"Si Morales (Erik) talaga ang target ko," said Pacquiao before jetting in to US the other night to train at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in preparation for his September 10 showdown against Velasquez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Morales, who beat Pacquiao via close, but well-deserved unanimous decision during their first encounter on March 19, 2005 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, will also show his stuff in the same card against former Olympic Zahir Raheem.

If Pacquiao and Morales both win, they will figure in an expected grudge rematch either in December this year or in January 2006.

Pacquiao is confident on his chances to dominate Velasquez, a tough and durable fighter who hasn't been knocked out for eight years now.