Erik seen in tactical fight vs Pacman

Erik Morales will likely employ a tactical fight against Manny Pacquiao to avoid a toe-to-toe confrontation in the climax of their trilogy at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

Tony Aldeguer, owner of the Cebu-based ALA stable, said yesterday he expects Morales to fight Pacquiao like Marco Antonio Barrera fought Rocky Juarez recently in retaining the World Boxing Council superfeatherweight title.

Barrera used a rapier-like left jab to keep Juarez at bay and was content to pile up points from a distance en route to a boring win via a unanimous 12-round decision. He neutralized Juarez’ aggressiveness by refusing to engage the challenger in a slugfest.

"Morales learned his lesson when he lost to Manny by knockout last January," said Aldeguer. "He won’t make the same mistake again. I expect a tactical fight from Morales. He will fight from long range, move around the ring and use angles to take away Manny’s jab-straight combinations."

Aldeguer pointed out that when Pacquiao fought Juan Manuel Marquez, he had difficulty adjusting to the Mexican’s elusive tactics after scoring three knockdowns in the first round.

"Marquez is not an exciting fighter and that’s why he doesn’t fight in big-money bouts," continued Aldeguer. "Manny put him down thrice in the first round but Marquez adjusted and survived the distance, getting a draw in the end. I see Morales trying to do what Marquez did against Manny to survive. Manny has difficulty fighting opponents who go backwards. He’s at his best when his opponents come forward."

Aldeguer said Mexican fighters like Marquez, Barrera and Morales had little respect for Pacquiao’s power in the past and thought they could outpunch, outwork and overpower the Filipino. They eventually found out Pacquiao’s not the fighter to risk facing head-on.

Aldeguer said Pacquiao should prepare for a different Morales in their third meeting and not expect "El Terrible" to fight the same way he did last January. If Morales will make adjustments, Pacquiao must be ready to counter his moves.

And if Morales will stick and dance, Pacquiao must be in tip-top physical condition to cut the ring off on the Mexican.

"Manny should turn it into a streetbrawl and not allow Morales to fight from angles," said Aldeguer.

That means Pacquiao must be in great shape to chase Morales around the ring, push him into the ropes and trap him in the corners.

Aldeguer said Morales is a technically-proficient fighter who is well-schooled in the art and science of boxing, more than Barrera. "El Terrible" will do what it takes to win because he has lost three of his last four fights and is in the crossroads of a long career.

If Morales switches styles during the fight, Pacquiao must be able to adapt and adjust. Pacquiao is not known to make drastic adjustments in a match because he usually fights just one way – straight up and all-out. But if Morales will circle and sway from side to side, Pacquiao must know how to stop him in his tracks.

"It’s a blessing in disguise that Barrera just fought Juarez," said Aldeguer. "How Barrera won should open Manny’s eyes to how Morales will probably fight him." What makes Morales a more dangerous opponent than Barrera is his ability to switch from boxer to puncher and back. Pacquiao must be prepared to take care of Morales whatever fight plan he uses.