Pacquiao, Morales super featherweight rematch

Pacquiao, Morales set for super featherweight rematch January 21, 2006 LAS VEGAS (Ticker) - Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales each have packed so much into such a short time. However, their resumes have plenty of room for another signature win. Pacquiao and Morales figure to showcase a spectacular sequel to their first meeting when they clash Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in a WBC super featherweight eliminator bout. Both known for an aggressive approach in which they pull few punches, Pacquiao (40-3-2, 32 KOs) and Morales (48-3-0, 34 KOs) staged a memorable matchup last March that resulted in a unanimous decision for Morales, who won, 115-113, on all three cards. The lightning-quick Pacquiao saw an unbeaten streak of 15 fights end as Morales used a consistent jab and took advantage of a cut above his opponent's right eye to erase the sting of a damaging loss four months earlier. On November 27, 2004, Morales suffered his second loss in just over two years to fellow Mexico native Marco Antonio Barrera, who claimed the top spot in the quest for the nation's adoration and sent the former two-time champion back to the drawing board. Provided Barrera survives a matchup with Jesus Chavez in March, a fourth meeting with Morales or a second with Pacquiao - who TKO'd Barrera in 2003 - is a possibility. That prize will not be an option for either fighter until the dust clears Saturday. However, Morales must also get past the shock of an upset loss to lightweight Zahir Raheem in September, which the 29-year-old Morales felt was an aberration at an unfamiliar weight class. "When I fought (Raheem), I wasn't at my absolute best," Morales said. "I'll fight him again, but first things first; I will beat Manny Pacquiao. "At this point of my career, yeah (this is the most important fight of my career). Later on there might be another that is more important, but we'll see. I am not thinking about anything else, just Manny." The more active fighter in the first meeting, Pacquiao again figures to set a frantic pace, but this time concentrate a bit more on defending himself against the taller and more precise Morales. After losing to the man who lost to Barrera, Pacquiao's camp felt the crush and was critical of the first fight's contract that made the combatants sport a specific glove. "It's not a crying thing, but if Morales said it wasn't important, then why did they put it in the contract?" said Shelly Finkel, Pacquiao's manager. "Why wouldn't they let us fight with our gloves? It's obviously a concern to them." The gloves will not be an issue Saturday, but whether Pacquiao can avoid the pitfalls of looking ahead may be. Many observers felt the 27-year-old Filipino saw Morales' loss to Barrera and took him lightly the first time around. With Morales again coming off a setback, Pacquiao insists he will not underestimate his rival. "I don't think I have an advantage because he is coming off a loss," Pacquiao said. "I think he wants to recover his name, he wants to win this fight. This time we are prepared for his jab and his straight." On the undercard, Martin Castillo (29-1, 16 KOs) of Mexico will make the fourth defense of his WBA super flyweight title and his second against Venezuela's Alexander Munoz (28-1, 26 KOs). Castillo scored a pair of knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision over Munoz in their first meeting on December 3, 2004. The fights will be televised on HBO beginning at 9 p.m. EST.