Pacquiao’s ex-rivals Morales, Barrera pick Manny to beat Thurman

LAS VEGAS—Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, Mexican legends who shared epic battles with Manny Pacquiao inside the ring, believe the Filipino boxing superstar has the upper hand against Keith Thurman in their welterweight world title fight on Saturday.

Morales has the eight-division champion winning on points but also isn’t discounting the possibility of a knockout victory.

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“It’s gonna be a complicated fight no doubt about it but knowing Pacquiao, starting in the second round that’s when he’s gonna start to charge so it’s gonna be either decision Pacquiao or maybe a late knockout by Pacquiao,” Morales said through a translator during the Legends Media Roundtable Thursday here.

Manny Pacquiao’s former rivals Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER

Barrera also sees the 40-year-old Pacquiao outpointing Thurman, the WBA (Super) champion, who is 10 years younger.

“I think Manny Pacquiao by decision, but we always have to take into account the plan that Thurman has. Tt could play a part, but Manny Pacquiao by decision,” said Barrera, a former three-division champion, who fought and fell to Pacquiao twice.

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Morales, the first Mexican to win four world titles in four weight classes, is all too familiar with Pacquiao, having fought him thrice from 2005 to 2006.

He won the first encounter by unanimous decision but went on to lose the last two via 10th round stoppage and third round knockout.

Morales said Pacquiao gave him trouble due to his “constant pressure” and Thurman will be dealing with the same puzzle on Saturday.