Pacquiao-Morales III slated Nov 18

HBO has set a Nov. 18 date for Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales III, assuring a blockbuster fight at yearend between two of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters in the final chapter of the unfolding trilogy.

Jose Morales, the former three-time world champion’s father, told Mexico’s boxing website BoxLatino that television network HBO already has reserved a Nov. 18 date for the keenly-awaited rubber match between Morales and Pacquiao, who split their first two faceoffs.

In fact, the elder Morales will be back as his son’s trainer as they bid to avenge the most humiliating setback suffered by Morales at the hands of the Filipino boxing hero.

Pacquiao, well-trained and properly motivated, decked and demolished Morales via a 10-round TKO in Las Vegas last January, marking the first time that the Mexican legend was knocked down and stopped in a checkered boxing career.

Morales, who decisioned Pacquiao in their first encounter last year, then decided to use his option for a third fight with the General Santos native with HBO making it official on Nov. 18.

But before facing Morales again, Pacquiao will take on another Mexican slugger, Oscar Larios, on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum, a non-title fight serving as the Filipino champ’s tune up for the Morales bout.

However, the elder Morales has expressed apprehension over the Pacquiao-Larios duel, saying Larios has the power and class to humble Pacquiao before Filipino fans.

"Larios is a boxer that can give the great surprise, has the ideal style to conquer Pacquiao in his own house," said Jose Morales.

Although he remains confident of hurdling Larios, Pacquiao and his handlers are not leaving anything to chance. In fact, Pacquiao will leave for the US on Monday to start his training under noted American trainer Freddie Roach and will be back on June 3 to resume his buildup for the July 2 fight in Baguio City.