Just two weeks after getting broken down inside 10 rounds by a rampant Manny Pacquiao, warrior Erik Morales has taken the bold decision to exercise his contractual right to fight the 'Pac-Man' for a third time. The rubber match will take place in September.
Pacquiao went 1-1 in the dramatic, gripping series last month by sensationally becoming the first man ever to legitimately knock down and then stop Morales in 10 rounds which were, quite honestly, increasingly one-sided in the Filipino puncher's favour. After the fight, Morales admitted he was 'tired of boxing' and many expected (or perhaps 'hoped' is the proper term) Morales would at least take down time away from the sport.
But, perhaps not surprisingly, Morales wants immediate revenge for the only stoppage loss of his career.
And Pac-Man explained that he welcomes the chance to go 2-1 against the Mexican icon: "I'd be happy to give Erik Morales a rematch because he gave me a rematch after he beat me last year. Morales is a great fighter, a warrior, and third fight will be very exciting and a great fight."
Asked if Morales, who has battled a procession of elite fighters without respite for years now, could be competitive in this rubber match Pacquiao answered in the affirmative.
He said: "Morales will be very competitive, of course. I don't think Morales should retire, I don't agree with that (sentiment). He is still a top class fighter."
Perhaps, but one who is 1-3 in his last four bouts, a fact not lost on Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. LA based Roach is less convinced than his charge that Morales can improve on his January 21 performance.
"We'll breaking him down sooner this time," Roach told SecondsOut. "Morales will always be very competitive, very dangerous for the first three rounds but Manny will stop him sooner (this) time. Manny will break him up inside six rounds probably."
According to ESPN's Dan Rafael, Pacquiao v Morales III will most likely made for a catch weight of 132lbs and Morales's promoter Bob Arum wants the rubber match to take place outdoors in Las Vegas on September 16. Arum believes that with a strong undercard, the second rematch between the exciting pair could even fill the 26,000 seater Sam Boyd Stadium located eight miles from the famous Vegas Strip.
Having changed his mind on Pacquiao going back down to featherweight Roach said that a catch weight of 132lbs would be acceptable.
"Manny is strong enough to match Morales at that weight," he said.
Last month's rematch generated over 350,000 pay-per-view buys, more than the March 2005 original, and a similar number is achievable for the rubber match.
However, it is worth noting the current reader poll on SecondsOut has only 3% of respondents indicating they want to see Pacquiao v Morales III next.
A huge 64% wished to see Pacquiao rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera, who he beat three years ago, while18% want to see a return with Juan Manuel Marquez and 15% are keen for Zahir Raheem, who outboxed Morales last September, to get his chance.
Before facing Morales, Pacquiao is likely to box in the early summer in a huge event in his native Philippines.
Pacquiao went 1-1 in the dramatic, gripping series last month by sensationally becoming the first man ever to legitimately knock down and then stop Morales in 10 rounds which were, quite honestly, increasingly one-sided in the Filipino puncher's favour. After the fight, Morales admitted he was 'tired of boxing' and many expected (or perhaps 'hoped' is the proper term) Morales would at least take down time away from the sport.
But, perhaps not surprisingly, Morales wants immediate revenge for the only stoppage loss of his career.
And Pac-Man explained that he welcomes the chance to go 2-1 against the Mexican icon: "I'd be happy to give Erik Morales a rematch because he gave me a rematch after he beat me last year. Morales is a great fighter, a warrior, and third fight will be very exciting and a great fight."
Asked if Morales, who has battled a procession of elite fighters without respite for years now, could be competitive in this rubber match Pacquiao answered in the affirmative.
He said: "Morales will be very competitive, of course. I don't think Morales should retire, I don't agree with that (sentiment). He is still a top class fighter."
Perhaps, but one who is 1-3 in his last four bouts, a fact not lost on Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. LA based Roach is less convinced than his charge that Morales can improve on his January 21 performance.
"We'll breaking him down sooner this time," Roach told SecondsOut. "Morales will always be very competitive, very dangerous for the first three rounds but Manny will stop him sooner (this) time. Manny will break him up inside six rounds probably."
According to ESPN's Dan Rafael, Pacquiao v Morales III will most likely made for a catch weight of 132lbs and Morales's promoter Bob Arum wants the rubber match to take place outdoors in Las Vegas on September 16. Arum believes that with a strong undercard, the second rematch between the exciting pair could even fill the 26,000 seater Sam Boyd Stadium located eight miles from the famous Vegas Strip.
Having changed his mind on Pacquiao going back down to featherweight Roach said that a catch weight of 132lbs would be acceptable.
"Manny is strong enough to match Morales at that weight," he said.
Last month's rematch generated over 350,000 pay-per-view buys, more than the March 2005 original, and a similar number is achievable for the rubber match.
However, it is worth noting the current reader poll on SecondsOut has only 3% of respondents indicating they want to see Pacquiao v Morales III next.
A huge 64% wished to see Pacquiao rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera, who he beat three years ago, while18% want to see a return with Juan Manuel Marquez and 15% are keen for Zahir Raheem, who outboxed Morales last September, to get his chance.
Before facing Morales, Pacquiao is likely to box in the early summer in a huge event in his native Philippines.
