Marquez predicts fight won’t last the distance

LAS VEGAS — It’s going to be a knockout.

This was how Juan Manuel Marquez, the Mexican featherweight who fought Manny Pacquiao to a classic draw last May, has predicted the fight between Pacquiao and his countryman Erik Morales would end Saturday at the MGM Grand here.

"One of them will be knocked out. It depends on who will make the mistake. But it won’t go 12 rounds," he said.

Marquez told the Las Vegas Review Journal that Morales, who’s never been knocked out in 49 fights as a pro, should not underestimate Pacquiao’s punching power.

Well, he should know.

Floored thrice in the first round but able to salvage a draw against Pacquiao, Marquez said Morales’ height advantage — no matter how small or big it is — won’t spell too much of a difference in Saturday’s fight.

"Pacquiao was coming up from a weight limit (from 122 to 126 lbs) when he fought me, but he was just as strong as I was. To be honest, I think he’ll even be stronger at 130 than he was at 126. He can punch," he said.

Marquez said Morales, a typical slow starter, should come out of his dressing room all fired up and ready to box.

"I made a stupid mistake and I paid for it. I think Pacquiao will come at Erik the same way he came at me. But all he has is a left hand. If Erik can figure that out, he’s okay," added the gutsy, stone-faced Mexican.

"The thing is, you can’t let him get you out of your rhythm. You have to be prepared to meet him head on and keep him off you," added Marquez who wants a rematch with Pacquiao — whatever happens on Saturday.

"Without a doubt, I deserve the opportunity," he said.

Morales has this to add.

"I don’t really know if Pacquiao can bring that power up to the 130 class. But there’s only one way for me to find out and that’s to climb the ring against him," Morales said during the press conference announcing the fight at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao, who prefers to cut the fight short than go the distance, knocked out another Mexican champion, Marco Antonio Barrera in 11 rounds in 2003 before he almost stopped Barrera.

And now he wants Morales.

But whether he can do it, well, if you ask Marquez, the answer has got to be yes. — Abac Cordero