Big Dome to use same ring in Morales tiff

The same ring and hopefully, the same result.

Upon Manny Pacquiao’s request or insistence, the same type of ring that was used in his fight with Erik Morales last January will be used for his July 2 battle with Oscar Larios.

Organizers of the coming fight at the Araneta Coliseum have rented a top-of-the-line Everlast ring from sports patron Boy Cantada to the tune of P150,000 for two uses.

According to Cantada, at least 10 persons and more than two hours will be needed to assemble the ring to be used for the public workout on Monday and the fight itself.

Cantada, brother of the late great sportscaster Joe Cantada, owns two of the Everlast ring worth P1 million each, including taxes and freight when it was brought in a few years ago from the US.

Cantada said "it’s an honor" to be part of the upcoming spectacle. When Pacquiao fought Fahsan 3K Battery in Taguig in 2004, he lent organizers the same type of ring "for free."

Pacquiao wanted not just the Everlast ring but the blue canvas that was used in his fight with Morales last January at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao won both fights by knockouts. He’s hoping that Larios would fall just the same.

Cantada has also provided the canvas which was paid for by ABS-CBN for P90,000. The ring measures 22 x 22 feet (platform) and 18 x 18 (roped area).