PACQUIAO: A KNOCKOUT IS MY GIFT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Nov 2006
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao expects legendary Mexican Erik "El Terrible" Morales to be "in the best shape of his life" for their Grand Finale rubber match at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on November 18 because this is a "must win fight for him."
In answer to questions sent by Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today through his public relations officer and Team Pacquiao member Winchell Campos, Pacquiao said that a knockout will be "my gift to all my countrymen. A bonus."
Pacquiao made the comment in relation to predictions by WBC founding secretary general Rudy Salud and former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa that Morales would be strong for the first three or four rounds but after that Pacquiao’s speed and power would get to Morales and Pacquiao will win by knockout in six or seven rounds.
Pacquiao said he knows that Morales had seen tapes of his fights and knows his (Pacquiao's) gameplan. The southpaw with devastating power in either hand indicated "I always go for a win or knockout in every second of every round."
At the same time Pacquiao said he believes the issue of Morales’ weight is being "blown up to make me feel over confident." He said he expects Morales ro make the 130 pound limit and not come in overweight. However, Pacquiao said that if by some chance Morales weighs over 132 pounds he will take the $1 million penalty and refuse to fight him.
Pacquiao said training camp was going well and "despite some distractions, we are on the right track." He said celebrated trainer Freddie Roach and he were still "working on the right hook to perfection." Pacquiao revealed they were working on some new things in training but added, "they are all top secret now." He said he expects Morales "to come up with new moves too."
When asked about a possible rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera next March, Pacquiao said he was not looking past Morales. He said "right now I am only focused on Morales and I will decide after the fight if Barrera is next. Of course all the fans would want me to face Barrera. That would be a great rematch and I would love to face him anytime, anywhere."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026