WBC: Barrera must fight Pacquiao-Morales winner

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao got an added motivation why he should chop down Erik Morales in their hotly-anticipated rubbermatch.

This after the World Boxing Council approved Pacquiao's November 18 showdown with Morales as a final eliminator to determine the official challenger for the reigning WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico.

Billed as "The Grand Finale", the Pacquiao-Morales III will take place at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao is looking forward to destroying Morales once again to formally seal his sought-after rematch with Barrera that is likely to take place in March 2007.

During their first encounter, Pacquiao dealt Barrera the most humiliating defeat in his career.

Pacquiao hammered the hapless Barrera with a flurry of punches on all range, flooring the Mexican twice enroute to a brutal 11th round TKO on November 16, 2003 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

After his loss to Pacquiao, the "Baby-Faced Assasin" quickly regained lost pride and glamour with a string of impressive victories over top caliber foes.

Barrera was razor-sharp in disposing off former world bantamweight champion Paulie Ayala. He pulled off a close victory over Morales in their third ring war, a smashing second round knockout of South African Mzonke Fana, a lopsided 12-round decision over Australian Robbie Peden, and a pair of decisive wins over fellow Mexican Rocky Juarez.

After reasserting his dominance over Juarez last September 16, Barrera again went vocal on his desire to challenge Pacman to a rematch.

Barrera said he is willing to face Pacquiao one more time before closing down the final chapter of his storied career next year. HBO is reportedly holding a March 11 date for that potential matchup with no confirmed venue.

"I want to retire next year. In 2007 I say goodbye. I want to spend more time with my son," Barrera told foxsports.com.

But Barrera's career won't be complete unless he sets up a return bout and exact vengeance at the man who demolished him three years ago.