Two victims watching their predator preying on another one of their kind? To me, it sounds to good to be true.

Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, two of Manny Pacquiao’s knockout punch tasters, are rumored to be coming over to see the Pacquiao-Larios fight on July 2, 2006 at the Araneta Coliseum. If my mind serves me right, I don’t think the two will bite the bait! Why? It would be a “bow” to Pacquiao.

First on Morales. He has not really given the full credit to Pacquiao when he was smothered in San Antonio by the Pacman. From that point in time and up until Pacman beat Morales, Barrera did not play with the thought of avenging the loss as if to say that it was just one of those forgetable fights. Now that he is the champion and he has not been getting high-quality opponents, he wants a rematch with Pacquiao.

Is he willing to go here and tell Pacquiao personally about his burning desire for a rematch? Will he take the trouble of becoming a TV panelist to show his admiration to the ring savvy of his tormentor? Does he have the balls, being the champ, to be at ringside while his nemesis gets all the limelight? No. I agree with the TV anchorman who said “Barrera’s too proud” in that momentous November affair.

Next is Morales. Is there a good reason for Morales to travel halfway through the globe to see another scintillating performance of the man who registered the worst beating he ever had in his entire career? Will he postpone some light training he’s been doing as he prepares for the rubber match with PACMAN? What would beloved father Jose say if he tells him of his trip to the Philippines? If father Jose says, “Are you going there to give moral support to Larios?” what would Erik say? No. Boxers, especially the top level ones like Morales, would rather stay at home and see the fight on TV. Or, if at all, will they really watch the fight even on live coverage?

You might say, “What if they’re going here would mean business. . .er. . . money?” Well, if their visit here would mean something equal or close to what they will make when they face Pacquiao in a true-blue fight, then I would make a 180-degree turn on my foregoing opinions. But even with that, I still have doubts about them leaving their turfs and seeing another humiliating loss for a Mexican.

See my Scourge of Mexicans.