Erik to invade heavier class

LAS VEGAS–Unless he loses to Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, Erik Morales said Wednesday he might push through with his plans to go a division higher by the end of the year.

"I’m just going to follow the road and see what’s available out there," said the former three-time champion on the prospects that he would go heavier as a lightweight at 135 lbs.

Morales is now having difficulty making weight as a super featherweight (130 lbs), a division which he once ruled until he lost to Marco Antonio Barrera in 2004.

"So by the end of the year I may be going 135," he said as interpreted by Top Rank’s Ricardo Jimenez during the final press conference for his coming fight with the Filipino who he beat last March.

If Morales loses on Saturday at the Thomas and Mack Center, a rubber match with Pacquiao, however, will be staged sometime in May or June as stated in their fight contract.

But if Morales wins, then that should put an end to his rivalry with Pacquiao, and open the big possibility that the crafty Mexican would jump to the lightweight division.

There he can set a rematch with Zahir Raheem who posted a stunning win over the former three-time champion when they fought last September in Los Angeles at 133 lbs.

So it all depends on Saturday where Morales is headed in the near future. — Abac Cordero