Morales nagpaparamdam, Pacquiao nais labanan ulit

MANILA, Philippines - Sa kanilang ‘trilogy’ ni Manny Pacquiao, dalawang beses na natalo si Mexican Erik Morales.

Matapos ang apat na taon, muling nagparamdam ang 34-anyos na si Morales na labanan ang 31-anyos na si Pacquiao.

“Defeating Pacquiao is my greatest accomplish­ment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our fight,” ani Morales sa kanyang unanimous decision win kay Pacquiao sa kanilang unang paghaha­rap noong Marso 19, 2005 sa MGM Grand sa Las Ve­gas, Nevada. “I would love another chance at Pacquiao and I also look for­ward to fighting Juan Manuel Marquez in the future.”

Makaraan ang natu­rang kabiguan kay Mora­les para sa mga bakanteng World Boxing Council (WBC) International at International Boxing Association (IBA) super feather­weight titles, rumesbak si Pacquiao para ipanalo ang kanilang sumunod na dalawang laban.

Umiskor si Pacquiao ng isang tenth-round TKO kay Morales sa kanilang re­match noong Enero 21, 2006 at third-round KO sa kanilang ikatlong pag­tatagpo noong Nobyembre 18, 2006.

Si Pacquiao ang ta­nging Asian fighter na nagkampeon sa pitong magkakaibang weight division, habang hangad pa rin ni Morales na maging kauna-unahang Mexican boxer na naghari sa apat na weight classes.

Nakatakdang labanan ni Morales, may 48-6-0 win-loss-draw ring record kasama ang 34 KOs, si Jose “Jicaras” Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs) sa Marso 27 pa­ra sa bakanteng WBC Intercontinental welterweight crown sa Monterrey, Mexico.

“At 147, I’m faster than ever and freer with my body so I can get the most out of it,” ani Morales. “First, though, is my fight against Jose Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey on pay per view. Alfaro is a great young fighter and a former world champion. A wicked puncher who will bring his best, he has a big heart into the ring, and always gives fans everything he has.”

Huling lumaban si “El Terrible” noong Agosto 4, 2007 kung saan siya na­talo kay David Diaz via unanimous decision.

Nasa undercard naman ng Morales-Alfaro ang laban ni Filipino Denver Cuello (19-2-5, 10 KOs) kay No. 2 Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1-0, 12 KOs) para sa WBC Interim strawweight title.