Already a lightweight at that time, Morales says Pacquiao forced rematch at 130 pounds

FILE – Erik Morales and Manny Pacquiao reunite. Photo by Wendell Alinea/MP Promotions

MANILA, Philippines — Erik Morales said weight issues played a big factor in his second and third bout with Manny Pacquiao back in 2006.

After Morales had beaten Pacquiao in their first fight by unanimous decision in 2005, the Mexican ring legend went on to lose the next two by knockout.

“[Pacquiao] fought me at 130 pounds and the second time around he did not want it to be at 130 and a half, 131, 132… on the contrary, he made a [weigh-in] stipulation where every time I passed a pound [above the weight limit] it would cost me $500,000,” Morales said in a story on boxingscene.com. “He pressured me in a such a way where nothing could happen to him.”

Morales had already moved up to lightweight after his first meeting with Pacquiao, but said he had to go back down at super featherweight for his last two fights with the Filipino star.

“How scared was he of Marquez that he fought him at 126, 135, 140 and 147, but with Erik Morales he did not want to fight at 131 or 132.”

The 43-year-old Morales has been going back and forth with compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez as to who did better in their series of fights against Pacquiao.

Marquez and Pacquiao met four times in the ring with their first bout ending in a split draw while Pacquiao got the next two by split decision and majority decision.

Marquez, though, won the final showdown when he scored a knockout with just a second left in the sixth round.