Morales happy he made weight limit — barely

LAS VEGAS–Thirty minutes before the official weigh-in, Erik Morales tipped the scales, half-naked.

When he got off, he gave his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, a big bear hug.

They both smiled and seemed very happy. Morales must have weighed at exactly 130 lbs, the weight limit, or probably just a tiny, tiny fraction over or under the limit.

The Mexican boxer then left the Margaux Ballroom of Wynn Las Vegas, surrounded by at least six men in their all-red "El Terrible" training uniforms.

When Morales returned, it was for the official weigh-in. The place was already jampacked. And just a few minutes later, Manny Pacquiao came in, more confident, ready to be weighed.

When Pacquiao got up the stage, he shook hands with Arum, then approached Morales, and shook his hands, too. The next time they’ll do this will probably be after Saturday’s fight.

Reigning world heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman officiated the weigh-in. He described both boxers as "warriors" then said he’s eager to see them fight.

Pacquiao was first to be weighed. Only in his underwear, he weighed 128 1/2 lbs. He never really had any problem with his weight leading to this fight.

Then Morales took his turn. Wearing boxers, Morales once again tipped the scales with a lot of eyes on it.

He weighed 130 lbs, nothing more, nothing less. Morales definitely had trouble making the weight as he appeared so much thinner than when he first stepped into the Wynn resort and casino Tuesday evening.

A fraction over the 130 lb limit would have caused him $250,000 as stated in the fight contract.

After being weighed, the fighters posed for a big group of photographers and including fans who had brought their own cameras. Morales turned his back, and Pacquiao posed for the cameras like a bodybuilder.

Morales was first to leave the ballroom. Pacquiao stayed on, greeting his fans and later on taking his lunch in a room backstage. He had rice and "bulalo" and had plenty of them.

When he left, Pacquiao went straight to his suite on the 51st floor of the 60-storey, 2,700-room Wynn Las Vegas. The next time he’ll leave that room will be for the fight itself.

The official weigh-in also turned out to be a shouting match between the fans from both sides. Chants of "Pi-li-pi-nas!" and "Vi-va Mexico!" filled the air.

There was cheering and jeering. Though the Mexicans were the louder ones, the Filipinos held their ground.

There was a battle right there, right then.

And that was just the weigh-in. — Abac Cordero