Morales: Pacquiao too fast, too strong

LAS VEGAS — Have we seen the last of Erik Morales?

Well, maybe yes, maybe no.

Minutes after taking another beating from Manny Pacquiao, the great Mexican fighter and future Hall of Famer, at 30 years old, has hinted at retirement.

"For the first time in my career I felt the power of my opponent. Maybe it’s getting to that time," said Morales, through Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez.

Morales has been through a lot of wars. Maybe it’s the right time for him to call it a day.

And still live the life of a champion.

Morales said he did everything in the months leading to this fight, from the day he started losing weight at Velocity in Los Angeles to the day he wrapped up his training at the Otomi Mountains in Mexico.

"I did everything necessary in training camp to win this fight. But I didn’t do it. He was too fast and too strong," said the three-time world champion.

During the post-fight media briefing, Morales was introduced by Bob Arum, his promoter, as a great, great fighter.

Then Arum urged everybody to get up. Morales received a standing ovation.

Almost teary-eyed, Morales spoke only for a minute, thanking Top Rank and of course Arum for all the support. But this time he said he might do it one last time.

"It’s great to be here. If I fight again I’ll do it in Tijuana," he said.

Then he shook hands with Pacquiao, and left the room.

At least here in Vegas, the site of many Morales victories, we may have seen the last of him. — Abac Cordero