Morales vows to regain lost pride

Mexican ring legend Erik Morales humbly admitted life had been tough for him in his recent fights, but pleaded everyone to believe in him for one last time as he will do everything to turn things around and regain lost pride.

"As everyone knows, that the last few times that I've been in the ring, it hasn't been that good for me," Morales said in a report by fightnews.com during yesterday's press conference promoting his November 18 rubbermatch with Manny Pacquiao.

"This gives me an opportunity to reverse everything and go back to where I belong. I'm asking you to believe in me one more time to show you what I can do," added Morales.

Morales beat Pacquiao by the narrowest of margins during their first meeting in March last year, but the Filipino boxing hero got back in devastating fashion, flooring Morales twice in the 10th round to deliver the Mexican's first career defeat by knockout during their rematch last January.

In their forthcoming third bout wherein the two protagonists seek to put a definitive closure to their epic trilogy, Pacquiao is looking forward to a good fight that will take place at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"It's going to be a good fight on November 18th. Both of us are trying to give you a good fight. I'm praying no one gets hurt on the 18th," said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is guaranteed US$3 million purse aside from a 50 percent share from the pay-per-view sales.

In a report by Philippine Star, sister company of The Freeman, Pacquiao, consultant Rex "Wakee" Salud and lawyer Jing Gacal met with Top Rank promoter Arum in an undisclosed place Friday morning to iron out the kinks in the deal. The negotiations reportedly went off without a hitch.

A major clause in the contract stipulates a $1 million payoff for Pacquiao in case Morales weighs in at 132 pounds or two over the limit. The penalty is $500,000 if Morales tips the scales at 131. If Morales weighs over 132, Pacquiao takes home $1 million and has the option to accept or decline the fight.