Morales not training, looks lumpy

Filipino fans got worried when a source from Manny Pacquiao’s camp said recently Erik Morales began training two weeks after losing to Zahir Raheem last September. That struck a disturbing note because Pacquiao opened training camp in Cebu City only this week, meaning Morales is way ahead in the race to prepare for their much-awaited rematch in Las Vegas on Jan. 21.

But in an e-mail a few days ago, Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez told The STAR the real score: Morales has not started training. Worse, no one has yet replaced Morales’ father Jose who lost his job as chief trainer after the Raheem upset.

"Erik’s father will (still) be part of the team (but) no decision (has been made) on whom to help him," said Jimenez. "Erik is running in Tijuana now but will start training at the end of the month."

Jimenez said Morales will train in Queretaro, some 90 miles north of Mexico City, instead of the mountainous Otomi Altitude Center, which has unbearably cold weather because of rain and snow during the winter months.

"Over the last eight years, I have trained at the Otomi for all my fights, except for one — my title fight with Guty Espadas in 2002 — and been successful but the weather is bad up there this time of year," said Morales in a statement issued by Jimenez.

"I have not decided who will be helping me (in training) but Queretaro will definitely be the site of my camp for this second fight against Pacquiao. I will begin my training very soon. I expect a very difficult fight, one that will be very intense from start to finish and this is one fight that I just cannot afford to lose."

Morales, 29, has lost two of his last three bouts and his five most recent fights — dating back to February 2004 — went the distance, indicating a slackening of his knockout power.

Jimenez said it is "too early" to hire sparring partners for Morales and didn’t know how many rounds the Mexican plans to log to prepare for Pacquiao because "they never keep count of rounds."

Morales, who lives in a private community in San Diego, married his long-time girlfriend Andrea Mora in Tijuana last Oct. 1. They reportedly spent their honeymoon in Europe. According to internet reports, Morales and Mora vacationed in Argentina, Uruguay and the Bahamas previously.

Morales’ personal website said he is married to someone named America with three children. In Los Angeles last week, Morales and Pacquiao met the press at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Observers said Morales looked out of shape and lumpy.

"He obviously just came from a honeymoon because he’s put on weight," said a source. "He probably weighed between 150 to 160 pounds. That’s a lot to lose in seven weeks." The rematch will be fought at a limit of 130 pounds with Pacquiao’s World Boxing Council International superfeatherweight title on the line.

Pacquiao, in contrast, tipped the scales at 138 pounds several days back and started training two weeks ahead of Morales. Yesterday morning, he worked out in Wakee Salud’s gym in Cebu. Pacquiao will continue training until tomorrow when he goes to Manila to participate in the Southeast Asian Games opening rites on Sunday. Then he flies to General Santos City for more training before leaving for the US on Dec. 3 to report to Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

"All Erik is thinking about is Pacquiao," said Jimenez. "He knows he needs a win and that a loss can really damage his career at this point in time. He’s coming with everything he has to get this win."

Jimenez said Morales won’t make too many adjustments for the rematch.

"He plans to do the same thing he did the first time," continued Jimenez. "Go forward, pressure him and keep him busy defending himself so he can’t mount an attack."

During the press conference last week, Morales reacted to trainer Freddie Roach’s comments that he dropped to the super featherweight division to fight Pacquiao for money.

Morales was clearly peeved and said he fights for his family, not for money. Roach later said he can’t wait for Pacquiao to whip Morales in their rematch.