Arum: No problem with Erik’s weight

LAS VEGAS — When Erik Morales holds a rare media workout Wednesday afternoon at the Top Rank Gym here in Vegas, a lot of questions regarding his weight will find some answers.

Morales arrived at Sin City almost midnight of Monday, but he didn’t utter a word in the face of media men who patiently waited for him to check in at the fabulous Wynn Hotel.

Morales’ face looked thin but not haggard. He had at least three layers of clothing on to probably conceal his build or simply fight off the biting cold in this place considered as the gambler’s paradise.

At the gym, mediamen will get a longer, closer and better look at Morales.

Morales’ weight has become a mystery since he and Pacquiao signed the fight contract last July. It was reported that the crafty Mexican boxer weighed around 165 lbs at that time.

While Pacquiao has kept his weight in check, Morales had to undergo a two-month reduction program at the high-tech Velocity Training Center in Los Angeles before he began serious training last September.

Almost exactly one more before the fight, he weighed 142 lbs, and reportedly dropped to 137 a week later.

He was at 136 last week and, according to his promoter Bob Arum, was at 132 the other night.

"His weight is okay," declared Arum yesterday when asked how his ward was doing in his battle with the bulge. If he goes over the 130 lb limit, he would have to pay Pacquiao $500,000 per pound.

"Erik was 132 last night. So what they’re really doing right now is to keep the weight up since the official weigh-in is not until Friday," said a poker-faced Arum. Morales had serious weight problems when he fought Pacquiao in a rematch last January. Drained by making the limit, he absorbed a painful 10th round knockout, and has never fought since.

Now, Arum says that Morales is in terrific shape. "One of his handlers told me that Erik has done everything they wanted him to do, and his weight is okay. He’s stronger now and I’ve never seen him in this shape," Arum added.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s chief trainer, was later told of Arum’s statements regarding Morales’ condition. And the former ring contender didn’t look surprised at all.

"Good," was all he said.