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Erik Morales prediction for Pacman vs Larios

LOOK who’s predicting a Manny Pacquiao win over Oscar Larios?

No less than Eric Morales himself.

In an interview recently in San Diego, California, the legendary Mexican warrior whom Pacquiao dealt his worst career beating in a titanic duel in Las Vegas, Nevada last January, said his heart belongs to Larios, his compatriot from Guadalajara, in this Sunday’s scheduled slugfest at the Araneta Coliseum.

But his mind tells otherwise.

“I hope Larios will win because he’s Mexican,” said the 29-year old native of Tijuana. “He (Larios) is a good fighter and he’s fast. But I still believe Pacquiao will win.”

The adjustment of fighting from super-bantamweight to super-featherweight could take its toll on Larios, according to Morales.

“Going up in weight which Larios will be doing is a big adjustment. Fighting heavier will be a problem,” said Morales.

The former three-time world champion knows where he speaks of. Just a year ago, he moved up a division higher at 135 lbs (lightweight) and paid dearly for it after performing sluggishly in a unanimous decision loss to former Olympian Zahir Raheem.

Larios is fighting at the 130-pound division for the first time, a weight class which, he and his camp said is ideal for him after having a hard time meeting the required 122-pound limit at the super-bantamweight class.

In his last fight at 122 lbs., Larios lost via a third round technical knockout against Israel Vaszquez to yield his World Boxing Council (WBC) title belt.

Of the two, Morales admitted, “Manny is technically a better fighter.”

But that doesn’t mean he’s putting aside a possible Larios upset.

“Larios has a chance if Pacquiao doesn’t prepare well,” Morales said.

Morales won by unanimous decision his first meet with Pacquiao in March of last year, before the Filipino ring idol squared things up with a sensational 10th round knockout win this January.

They are set to clash for the third time this coming November.