Greatest fight of the year begins

LAS VEGAS — Only one thing is certain when Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales climb the holy MGM Grand ring here Saturday: The fight is going to be very memorable one.

With so much hype and interest generated by this 12-round battle between two tried and tested warriors, the whole world will be watching and anticipating a classic battle.

Pacquiao, the swinging Filipino slugger, and Morales, the calculating Mexican boxer, will answer the opening bell at 9 p.m. here (12 p.m. Sunday in Manila) for what could be the greatest fight of the year.

An estimated crowd of 14,500, each one of them paying tickets for as low as $75 and as high as $400, will pack the venue which had seen many classic battles in the past.

Like them, this one, the first and hopefully not the last between the two, has the makings of a great fight that will long be remembered and talked about.

No title will be at stake in the fight and yet it has sucked boxing fans into it — millions back in the Philippines and millions more over in Mexico.

Pre-fight forecasts which have installed Pacquiao the favorite will hardly matter on the ring. It will be battle right from the start and one that isn’t really expected to last.

Coming into the fight, Pacquiao will have in his mind fond memories of his spectacular bouts against two Mexican champions — the first being an 11th round knockout of Marco Antonio Barrera in San Antonio in 2003 and the second being a controversial split draw against Juan Manuel Marquez in the same MGM ring last May.

"Excited na ako para bukas," said Pacquiao on the eve of the fight as he emerged from the MGM buffet area where he had dinner of beef broth, a couple of broiled eggs and fruits.

Pacquiao has always been upbeat leading to this fight, regardless of news reports that there’s trouble and fighting within his camp — with "old" members being challenged by "new" ones.

"Basta bukas, bawat suntok ko kasama ko ang mga kababayan kong Pilipino," added Pacquiao.

His American trainer, Freddie Roach, looked and sounded as confident.

"Everything’s okay. We’re gonna have fun tomorrow night. I’ll make sure he’ll get enough rest tonight," he said.

The 2003 American Trainer of the Year said he expects Morales to be bigger and slower and to fight a dirty fight. But everything, he said, is in their gameplan.

Many believe that a victory by Pacquiao, a southpaw, will be his ticket to the Hall of Fame and many believe that another victory will carve him a new name as Manny "The Mexican Assassin" Pacquiao.

With a boastful ring record of 39 wins with two losses, two draws and a total of 30 knockouts, Pacquiao, again many believe, is truly destined for greatness which is more than the $1.75 million he is getting for this fight.

A victory may also lead to a giant rematch with Barrera, who snatched the WBC and WBA super-featherweight titles from Morales last November.

Standing in Pacquiao’s way is Morales.

An excellent slow-starter, the good-looking Mexican boxer is just as determined to win this one and get another crack at Barrera and the two titles which used to be his.

Morales, a shade taller than Pacquiao and a lot heavier by the time the fight starts, has never been knocked out in 49 fights, losing only twice, both against Barrera, and knocking out 34 of his previous opponents.

He hopes to put the name Pacquiao in that long, distinguished list.

But he said he won’t do it for either Barrera or Marquez, but for himself, his country and the Mexican people.

"This is not revenge. This is not for them. This is for my country," said Morales during the final press conference Thursday.

Morales, an orthodox fighter, weighed just enough — no more, no less — for the 130 lb contest but is expected to balloon to at least 144 lbs before he climbs the ring. Pacquiao tipped the scales at 129.5 lbs. and will weigh probably no more than 138 lbs for the fight.