PACQUIAO AIMS TO KO MORALES
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 26 Nov 2005
Pound for pound superstar Manny Pacquiao today announced a singular mission when he takes on Mexican star Erik Morales on January 21 in Las Vegas: Be the first man to knock out the Tijuana native.
Pacquiao, who worked out this afternoon at the famed ALA Gym accompanied by close associate Rex "Wakee" Salud, informed this writer in an interview that he is aiming for no less than a knockout victory when he tangles with Morales again in a pay-per-view card at the Thomas and Mack Center.
"KO talaga ang nasa isip ko. Di ko sya tatantanan," (KO is what's in my mind. I won't let him go) Pacquiao said, still seething from comments made by Morales to media that his punches could not hurt the Mexican in their first encounter.
With personal trainer Nonoy Neri and some companions, Pacquiao made his second workout at the ALA Gym this afternoon, hitting the mitts, shadow-boxing, jumping ropes, and of course, posing for the camera with fans who trooped to the gym just to catch a glimpse of the boxing hero.
Former World Boxing Council superfly kingpin Gerry Pe?alosa, who is also training at the ALA Gym for his Dec. 10 showdown with Paraguay's Dario Azuaga, joined Pacquiao in the training session, and even predicted that the Filipino star will stop Morales in their return battle.
"In their first meeting, Pacquiao had too much distraction. I personally witnessed how he was bothered by too many people days prior to the fight. But this time around, Manny will knock him out. Morales is on the way down, and besides, he just got married," Pe?alosa said.
The same prediction was aired by noted Cebuano promoter Sammy "Don King" Gello-ani, who joined Salud and Philboxing.com owner Dong Secuya, while Pacquiao was doing the mitts with Neri.
Gerry Pe?alosa (in black shirt skipping ropes) joins Manny Pacquiao at this afternoon's training session at ALA Gym in Cebu. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Pacquiao was set to fly to Manila late tonight, as he is set to join the opening ceremonies of the Sea Games tomorrow. Pacquiao had joined the Sea Games opening in Cebu last Friday, where he was mobbed by fans at the Cebu City Sports Center.
On December 3, Pacquiao flies to Los Angeles to continue his training under renowned trainer Freddie Roach.
Click here to view photos of Manny Pacquiao training at ALA Gym.
END
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Villar and Astuvilca Make Weight for Title Rematch at All Star Boxing: Seneca Fight Night
Fri, 03 Oct 2025Allan Villanueva vs. Jyl Wright Headlines Peter Maniatis Event in Melbourne Oct. 3
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BUSTAMANTE AND JONES NAMED CAPTAINS FOR REYES CUP 2025
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Mike Tyson Joins BoltBetz as Strategic Investor and Promotional Partner to Usher in a New Era of Cashless Gaming
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOXING LEGEND MANNY PACQUIAO LAUNCHES “MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS” IN THE UNITED STATES
Thu, 02 Oct 2025BOOTS HUNTING THE BIG FISH AT 154LBS
Thu, 02 Oct 2025IBA Unveils Historic 2025 IBA Men’s Elite World Championships as Part of a Spectacular Two-Week ‘Festival of Boxing’ in Dubai with Unprecedented $8 Million Prize Pool
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Final Bell for 2025 USA Boxing National Open Event National Open Event Concludes with 1,870 Registered Participants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Thu, 02 Oct 2025THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 15: JOE FRAZIER’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER
By Maloney L. Samaco, Thu, 02 Oct 2025World Boxing relocates Congress 2025 to Rome
Thu, 02 Oct 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Behind the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 01 Oct 2025JOHANN CHUA BEGINS TITLE DEFENCE AGAINST IVICA PUTNIK AS DRAW CONFIRMED FOR 2025 HANOI OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 01 Oct 2025CUBAN FUTURE CHAMPIONS YOENLI HERNANDEZ, ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI & GUSTAVO TRUJILLO HEADLINE ‘FISTS OF FURY 8’
Wed, 01 Oct 2025USA Boxing Finishes Canada Duel Undefeated
Wed, 01 Oct 2025Dana White Seeks to Make Significant Changes in the World Boxing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 01 Oct 2025