Rematch all about revenge — Manny

LOS ANGELES – Manny Pacquiao, this early, has vowed to get back at Erik Morales.

"Talagang mag-hahanda ako ngayon para sa kanya," said the Filipino ring gladiator a day after he knocked out Hector Velazquez at the Staples Center last Saturday.

Pacquiao’s sixth-round KO win helped forge the rematch between him and Morales, the Mexican hero who won their first meeting at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last March.

Morales was tipped to win his own fight against American Olympian Zahir Raheem but was clearly out of shape in losing a unanimous decision.

Bob Arum, big boss of Top Rank Promotions, however, said Morales loss will not in any way derail the awaited rematch. A contract, in fact, had been signed as early as July.

Arum said under the contract, the fight is set Jan. 21 somewhere in Las Vegas. Although it will be a non-title fight at 130 lbs, it is guaranteed to be a blockbuster.

Pacquiao said he will train long and hard for the rematch which would guarantee the two great fighters at least $1.75 million each.

"Ako ang babawi. Kaya dapat ang ensayo ko hindi bababa sa dalawng buwan," said Pacquiao who plans to start training for the rematch sometime in November.

Pacquiao will begin his training in Manila and will be back here in the US by the first week of December. He will take a very short break to get back home and celebrate his 27th birthday with the poor.

"Ilang araw lang at babalik din ako sa US sa Dec. 18. Mamimigay lang ako sa birthday ko," he said of his yearly tradition of giving away gifts to the poor during his birthday.

Once he returns to the US, he will resume training all the way to fight night. Freddie Roach wants Pacquiao to hold camp somewhere in Phoenix for six weeks.

"Ang gagawin ko sa rematch, sasagasaan ko na siya ng sasagasaan. Reduced siya sigurado sa 130 (lbs) kaya pag binanatan sa sikmura, madaling mapapagod."

"Dadaanin ko sa resistensiya. Hindi ko siya tatantanan. Nandoon ako kahit saan siya magpunta. Iyon ngang may sugat ako hindi niya ako napatumba eh," said Pacquiao.

Like Pacquiao, his legions of fans are indeed looking forward to the rematch.