The last time I filled a news space, I told everyone who cared how good Manny Pacman Pacquiao was despite his loss to Erik Morales.

Then quick as a jungle cat, the GenSan marvel went on to knockout journeyman Hector Velasquez in an aftermath of his bitter loss to the man they call El Terrible who he faces in a rematch on January 21 in Las Vegas.

The persistent query I’ve been getting is whether the South Cotabato sensation has what it takes to beat the smart-punching Tijuana native. In a meeting at Vegas’ MGM Grand, these macho super-featherweights served a delectable slugfest that compellied promoter Bob Arum to bring them back for an encore.

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LOS ANGELES, California — Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales took center stage at the MGM grand for the first time last March, displaying their status as two of the world’s most powerful super featherweights to millions of fans.

On January 21, the rivals reprise their bloody encounter in “The Battle” at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas with Pacquiao favored by the oddsmakers to prevail this time over Morales, the Mexican they call El Terrible.

The “Pacman” starts on Monday the final phase of his rigorous sparring at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

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No shot had yet been fired, but when Hermie Rivera faced the wrong end of an assault rifle on the Palace corridor he thought he would be the first casualty of 1986 People Power revolution.

Rivera’s confrontation with the Galil-wielding son of President Ferdinand Marcos followed his father’s decision to go on national television to reassure the world he would not attack the rebels.

A trusted press officer with full access to the inner Palace sanctum, Rivera had arranged for Marcos’ television address hours after Washington had warned of dire consequences if the President mounted an offensive.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr., nicknamed Bongbong, had opposed his father’s decision taken on the second day of the breakaway by rebellious Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Gen. Fidel Ramos, the Armed Forces deputy chief of staff.

 A mainstay of the popular late 60s, early 70s dzHP news team, Rivera said he had been called to the Palace at around 6 p.m. on that lazy Sunday – Feb. 23, 1986 — and had taken with him dispatches from Washington to brief the President.

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA—Bettors call it a “scalping” chance placing a bet on both sides of the ‘The Battle” which some gamblers say insures a profit assuming the odds posted at the time is even.

But you can throw this betting theory out of Steve Wynn’s fabulous hotel in Las Vegas with the re-assumption of the favored role by Manny Pacquiao who posted last night a definitive edge -betting wise- over his bitter rival Eric Morales.

Fifteen hundred dollars wagered on Manny Pacquiao can bring in one hundred ($100) while one hundred five crisp US notes placed on Erik Morales give a hundred dollar return.
But don’t go knocking on your neighbor’s doors betting your carabao lest you look foolish and dumb if you wind up making the wrong bet.(You can bring in the mascot with its apt comments.)

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