Barrera waiting in wings

Probably the most interested spectator in this weekend’s Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales fight is Marco Antonio Barrera because he’s likely to face the winner in what could be the biggest non-heavyweight boxing event of the decade.

Barrera was stopped by Pacquiao in November 2003 and has beaten Morales twice in three meetings. He’s the only fighter ever to floor Morales although it was considered a fluke knockdown.

Morales, who has never lost inside the distance, took a mandatory eight-count from referee Mitch Halpern in the 12th round of his first bout against Barrera in Las Vegas in February 2000. A replay of the trip to the canvas showed Morales slipping a hook and falling on one knee.

Halpern thought Barrera connected and ruled a knockdown. Morales, however, won on a split decision.

Pacquiao has been decked by Rustico Torrecampo, Megdeon 3-K Battery, Nedal Hussein, Serikzhan Yeshmangbetov and Barrera in his pro career. He lost to Torrecampo and Medgeon but got up to halt Hussein, Yeshmangbetov and Barrera.

Barrera said he’ll cheer for Morales against Pacquiao because they’re both Mexicans. But Morales didn’t appreciate the show of support.

"We know he doesn’t believe it for a minute," said Morales, quoted by Claude Abrams in Boxing News. "He wants to see me get beat but I couldn’t care less what he thinks."

Abrams said Morales refuses to accept any offer of friendship or support from his "great rival" Barrera.

No title is at stake in the Pacquiao-Morales duel although it’s a 12-round pay-per-view bout. If Pacquiao wins, the chances are he will challenge Barrera for the World Boxing Council (WBC) superfeatherweight title in his next fight. That would be a blockbuster since Barrera is itching to avenge his defeat to Pacquiao and he now holds the belt that the Filipino covets.

Morales has lost only to Barrera in his 12-year career and bowed twice, both on close decisions. Last November, Barrera beat Morales on a majority verdict in a brawl that could’ve gone either way.

Against Pacquiao, Morales can’t afford to start slowly as is his tendency.

"Gloves high, arms loose, Morales is always tentative early on, starting slowly and, like a snowball coming down a mountain, building momentum as he unwinds," said Abrams. "He is not devastatingly quick but his timing, variety and precision are excellent, his choice of punch always spot-on. Morales is tall and reed-thin. He looks weak, so slender he could snap in two but beneath the skin and bones is a hard man, a solid-hitting composed finisher.

"There is nothing flashy about him and that’s why he’s dangerous. Opponents think they know his weaknesses like a snake-pit which seems empty from the outside but is infested. Once caught, opponents are subjected to the bite of his hooks, uppercuts and long rights. Morales can throw every punch in the book, swallow lesser opponents with swarming attacks."

Morales was an outstanding amateur fighter with 108 wins in 114 fights and has been involved in brutal wars in compiling a 47-2 record, with 34 KOs. The wear and tear of a long fistic career may have slowed down Morales who went the full route in his last three outings. Morales has taken a lot more punishment than Pacquiao in the ring.

Morales admitted he wasn’t himself in losing to Barrera last year. "My body didn’t respond the way it’s supposed to," he said. "I did what I could and the only surprise was I couldn’t throw punches. I was tight early and couldn’t get my jab off."

Could that be a sign of Morales going downhill?

Last December, Morales vacationed in Argentina and said he is moving up to the lightweight division after fighting Pacquiao. By September this year, he predicted he will attempt to win the world lightweight crown, his fourth in as many weight classes.

But if Morales beats Pacquiao, he may want to take on Barrera again to settle unfinished business. Barrera is set to stake his WBC crown against Mzonke Fana of South Africa in El Paso, Texas, on April 9.

Morales said he’s not looking beyond Pacquiao. "He is dangerous because of his power," noted Morales. "I will not underestimate him for one second during our fight."

To prepare for Pacquiao, Morales trained in seclusion in the Mexican mountains.

Pacquiao was supposed to watch General Santos boyhood pal Vernie Torres and jogging partner Gerry Balagbagan battle separate opponents in a Grand Olympic Auditorium card in Los Angeles last Saturday but the show was cancelled.

The Pacquiao-Morales fight has already been declared a box office success with over 11,500 tickets sold so far, reported columnist Jeff Haley of the Las Vegas Sun. About 1,500 Mexicans are expected to motor to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas from Tijuana to fill up the facility which has a capacity of 14,500.

The attendance for the third Barrera-Morales fight last November was 11,162 and grossed $14.6 Million on 325,000 pay-per-view buys.

According to MGM Mirage odds, Pacquiao is a minus-120 favorite, meaning bettors must ante up $1.25 for every $1 they hope to win on the Filipino. Morales is a plus-105, meaning a $1 wager will bring in $1.05 if the Mexican wins.

"Pick ‘em all the way," said Dave Cokin of ESPN Radio Las Vegas. "At even

money, a threadbare edge to Morales. If there’s a flood of money either way on fight night, take the value with whomever becomes the underdog and root along with the house."