Pacquiao-Morales rematch a done deal?

The Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch late this year or early in 2006 appears to be already "a done deal " no matter what happens in Pacquiao’s fight against Hector Velazquez on Sept. 10 in Los Angeles.

Lawyer Nick Khan, who is part of Pacquiao’s management team, was quoted as saying "he (Pacquiao) doesn’t have to win against Velazquez (and) even if the fight ends in a draw, the (Morales) rematch will push through."

Khan’s assurance, however, isn’t foolproof.

For one, promoter Bob Arum isn’t likely to invest in the rematch if Velazquez knocks out Pacquiao or if Pacquiao fails to impress.

Arum is banking on the rematch to hit the roof in terms of ticket sales and pay-per-view buys. And from all indications, the return fight will be a huge box office success. The first Pacquiao-Morales bout last March is being touted as the year’s second best action match, next only to the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo brawl. And the rematch is expected to be an unmitigated war.

Khan probably made the assurance to impress on Pacquiao the fact that a lot is at stake in the Velazquez fight.

But whether it’s a reverse psychology or not, Pacquiao should realize that his management team has done its job in sealing the Morales rematch and it’s his job to make sure the rematch will happen by disposing of Velazquez.

Pacquiao has to make good his management team’s commitment to Arum that he’ll be ready to push Morales to the limit when they clash again. He’s got to prove his worth.

Pacquiao obviously can’t take Velazquez lightly. The Mexican isn’t only more experienced. He’s also tough as nails. This is Velazquez’ chance of a lifetime.

He’s never been so close to becoming a million dollar fighter. A convincing win over Pacquiao will put Velazquez on track.

Velazquez, 30, is no slouch. He’s ranked No. 10 by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and he’s won his last five fights, four by knockout. The reigning WBC Fecarbox featherweight champion holds victories over former WBC titlist Guty Espadas and highly-regarded Marcos Licona.

Last July 15, Velazquez cleared the way for his battle against Pacquiao by halting Trinidad Mendoza at 1:25 of the fifth round at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. Mendoza was down twice before referee Gino Rodriguez called it a night. The triumph raised Velazquez’ record to 42-10-2 with 31 KOs.

A vicious body puncher, Velazquez will no doubt try to wear down Pacquiao and set him up for the kill in the late going. He’ll avoid mixing it up in the early rounds when Pacquiao is strongest.

Velazquez is a big underdog so he’ll come out smelling like a rose unless Pacquiao scores a sensational knockout. Even if Velazquez loses by decision, it will mean a step up in his career because only the tough ones survive the distance with Pacquiao.

Velazquez has never won a world title. Pacquiao has won three, including the "people’s" featherweight championship recognized by Ring Magazine. The word from L. A. is Velazquez gets up at 4:30 every morning to jog and punishes himself in the gym like an addict to pain.

But make no mistake about it. Pacquiao is hungry, too. He knows there’s a windfall of dollars in the horizon after Velazquez. Pacquiao isn’t about to throw away a fortune that will set him up for life.

Arum is hot on a Pacquiao-Morales rematch. He thumbed down an offer for Marco Antonio Barrera to face Morales in a fourth meeting to get it done. The rematch will be on Dec. 10 or Jan. 21, depending on when Bernard Hopkins fights Jermaine Taylor.

Barrera’s promoter Oscar de la Hoya said Arum rejected his offer because "Morales knows Barrera has his number and so he doesn’t want the fight."

Arum blasted back at de la Hoya. "Oscar is flat out lying but that’s nothing new," said Arum, quoted in Boxing Update Flash. "He should know.

The Pacquiao fight did 20 percent better on pay-per-view than the (last) Barrera fight (against Mzonke Fana) and it cost us less. That’s why we want the Pacquiao rematch."

Ticket prices for the Sept. 10 card at the Staples Center are extremely affordable with half going for $50 and less. The lowest-priced seat is selling for $25. The other ticket prices are $300, $200, $100 and $50.

It will be Pacquiao’s second fight in L. A. after halting Emmanuel Lucero in the third round at the Olympic Auditorium two years ago.

Over 17,000 fans packed the Staples Center for Arum’s show that headlined Julio Cesar Chavez last May.

Arum expects a sellout on Sept. 10 because not only is Pacquiao on the card but also Morales who takes on Zahir Raheem.