By NICK GIONGCO
ERIK MORALES will train deep in the mountains of Mexico starting in August as he revs up for the rubber match with Manny Pacquiao, the Mexican media reported yesterday.
Morales will be joined in high-altitude training by his father Jose "Olivaritos" Morales.
The elder Morales rejoined the team after being left out in the grudge rematch with the Filipino icon early this year in Las Vegas where the Filipino became the first fighter to beat Morales.
The Otomi mountain range, training ground for Mexico’s top pugilists, will be home to Morales for two months as the Mexican is aching to get back at Pacquiao.
If the fight takes place, it might be held on Oct. 7 in Las Vegas.
The Mexican newspaper Esto reported that Morales’ third fight with Pacquiao will be held on that date although Top Rank publicity head Ricardo Jimenez told the Bulletin that Oct. 7 is a date being proposed to Morales.
That date may be perfect for Morales, but that’s not the case with Pacquiao, who is currently training at the Wild Card in Hollywood as he is booked to face Oscar Larios on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Unlike Pacquiao, Morales is not engaging in a tuneup fight and wants to go straight into the third match with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said last week that Oct. 7 may be too soon for his prized fighter since he expects a tough fight with Larios.
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