Morales admits cataract in eye

While there is apprehension that Manny Pacquiao’s vision may be impaired because of an optic test the other day, Erik Morales isn’t making a big fuss about the cataract in his right eye.

A solution was used to dilate Pacquiao’s pupils in a retina test required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission before he was cleared to fight Morales at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas this morning (Manila time).

Pacquiao said his vision was blurred for three days after a previous test. He was worried that his eyesight might not be sharp when the bell rings for his showdown with "El Terrible."

Pacquiao’s vaunted "Manila Ice," his newly-developed right hook, could turn out to be "Manila Eyes."

Under ordinary circumstances, the blurred vision caused by the solution should clear after a few hours. So Pacquiao should have nothing to worry about.

Morales admitted he was advised to undergo surgery for the cataract. "I can see perfectly but I do have to get it operated on," he told Chris Bronte of fightnews.com. "The reason I haven’t done it yet is that I’ve been too active fighting. And if I take time to get it removed, then I’ll be out for four months."

If the cataract is ripe for removal, Morales may not be able to see clearly when the glare of the lights over the ring catches his eye or there is sudden movement.

Morales said losing is not an option as he hopes to continue fighting in the 130-pound division.

"This is a very important fight for me as he beat (Marco Antonio) Barrera and I want to beat him to make a statement," said Morales who once won 41 straight fights. "I can’t lose two fights in a row. I feel very confident and strong."

Pacquiao, making his debut as a superfeatherweight, declined to predict how he’ll beat Morales.

"I just came to win," said Pacquiao. "I’m not saying anything about a knockout. I’m just going to do what I do and I want to make people happy (with) this fight."

Tension in Pacquiao’s camp reached a crescendo a few days ago when his New Jersey promoter Murad Muhammad and trainer Freddie Roach traded accusations.

Roach said Muhammad didn’t look out for Pacquiao when he agreed to use the Japanese-made Winning gloves for the fight. Pacquiao would rather fight with the Mexican-made Cleto Reyes gloves. But Muhammad said the issue is insignificant because Pacquiao will stop Morales regardless of the brand of gloves.

Roach also said Muhammad is pocketing 40 percent of the pay-per-view receipts after breakeven instead of Pacquiao. "If the upside is $5, I want Manny to get $5," said Roach quoted by John Rein of fightworld.us. "He’s the one putting his life on the line. That’s not the promoter’s money. That’s Manny’s money. I hate it when anybody steals money off fighters."

Muhammad said Roach has no basis for his charges. "I was investigated by the FBI and I came out clean under their close scrutiny," he told Chris Cozzone of fightnews. "No one can tell me that I haven’t produced. When he beats Morales, he’ll be a millionaire. I have a tight, strong contract with Manny. We have big plans that will make Manny an international pay-per-view superstar. After Morales, then Barrera is the fight. We wil beat him again then give Juan Manuel Marquez a rematch to clear the air. After that, Pacquiao will be the hottest commodity in boxing."

Muhammad lashed out at Roach for failing to bring Pacquiao to the clinic for the mandatory eye test a month ago. Because of the oversight, he said, Pacquiao had to undergo the examination last Thursday.

The conflict escalated when Roach persuaded Pacquiao to sign up Shelly Finkel as his new manager last month. Finke and his lawyers Keith Davidson and Nicholas Khan are reviewing the fight contracts that Muhammad had previously negotiated for Pacquiao.