Saturday, May 08, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Win by Pacquiao would land lucrative bout against Morales

Marquez not averse to taking on champ

By KEVIN IOLE
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Super featherweight champion Erik Morales, right, lands a punch against Fernando Velardez on May 3, 2003. REVIEW-JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

If Manny Pacquiao defeats Juan Manuel Marquez in their featherweight title fight tonight at the MGM Grand, he'll get a lucrative shot at super featherweight champion Erik Morales.

The bout would headline a July 31 pay-per-view card that is also expected to land in Las Vegas.

But if Marquez wins, he likely will have to wait to cash in. While Pacquiao has already signed to face Morales in the event of a victory, Marquez has no commitments beyond tonight.

Marquez would have to make his mandatory title defense against the IBF's top-rated available contender, currently Orlando Salido.

Top Rank president Bob Arum said he didn't believe his Mexican stars had interest in fighting each other, but Marquez said that isn't the case. He is friendly with Morales, but said he'd be willing to move up to fight him.

"Nobody ever heard me say I wouldn't take the fight and I don't think anybody from my team did either," Marquez said. "We're not thinking about Morales or any other fights now -- only Pacquiao. But if that comes up, of course I would take it."

• DEFENSIVE WORK -- Pacquiao has worked hard to improve his defense. Because he is so aggressive and throws so many punches, he can be susceptible to counter left hands. Early in his training camp, sparring partners were landing them regularly.

That could be bad news for Pacquiao because Marquez is a skilled counterpuncher who can exploit those openings. But Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said Pacquiao has come a long way in that area.

"It was a problem and while he may still get hit with one or two now, it's nowhere near the problem it was," Roach said. "We worked very hard on that in camp and our sparring partners did a great job. I feel very good about that."

• BROTHER VS. BROTHER? -- Marquez and younger brother Rafael are the only brothers who currently hold world championships. Rafael Marquez is the IBF bantamweight champion.

WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has ruled out any chance of fighting his younger brother, Wladimir. But Juan Manuel Marquez wouldn't do the same.

"Hey, we're not that far apart in weight," he said, smiling broadly.

• COTTO SET -- Miguel Cotto weighed 140 pounds when he began boxing at age 10. On Friday, the 23-year-old Cotto weighed in at that same figure for tonight's fight against Lovemore N'dou.

Cotto was a fat kid who first went to the boxing gym to lose weight. He has become one of the best-conditioned fighters.

"Preparation is so important and I'll never let myself get out of shape again," Cotto said. "I have plans, but if you're not in (condition) you can't do anything in this sport. That's something I can control -- what kind of shape I'm in -- and I'll never let myself go."