Upon the request of the Filipino fighter who is scheduled to face Oscar Larios on July 2, Pacquiao’s third and deciding match against Morales has been moved to Nov. 18.
The fight, which will serve as a fitting closure to the classic matchup between the two great super-featherweights, was first set for Nov. 4 then was moved to Oct. 7.
But Pacquiao’s coming fight against Larios at the Araneta Coliseum has led to another date. Pacquiao’s American trainer, Freddie Roach, said October would be too soon for his ward’s next fight.
Morales, the former three-time world champion, decisioned Pacquiao when they first met in March of 2005. But the Filipino slugger bounced back with a 10th round knockout last January.
Both fights were held in Las Vegas, the first at the MGM Grand and the second at the Thomas and Mack Center. The third fight is also set in Las Vegas.
"People will strip me naked on the lamp post if we move this fight out of Las Vegas," the famous Bob Arum, who promotes Morales, said last January.
Rex "Wakee" Salud, a close friend of Pacquiao’s, said the Filipino southpaw will make a final decision regarding the date shortly after his fight against Larios.
"It will be Manny who will decide what’s best for him.
But definitely, an October fight is now out of the picture. Of course, Bob Arum is aware of all these changes," he said.
Salud said Arum is scheduled to face Shelly Finkel, Pacquiao’s American manager, in the next few days to map out the best possible date for the third match.
"I think Morales already knows about the new date which is Nov. 18," said Salud.