This early, things are not shaping up right for Manny Pacquiao in his upcoming third meeting with Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales.

There are reports about Pacquiao planning to drop his management team led by Shelly Finkel to tie up with Top Rank and Bob Arum.

There is also the gloves issue.  Reports have it that the Las Vegas Boxing Commission has a new rule on the weight of gloves used in professional boxing.  From the 8-ounce lowest limit the new rule has set a 10-ounce lowest limit.  That sounds bad news for Pacquiao.

We also have reports of Morales getting into shape but without getting weak in the process.  He is being handled by nutrition and weight experts so that he will be able to make weight without losing his punching power.

Rumors also have crept into the local media branding Pacquiao as a big time gambler at casinos.

But the good thing is Manny Pacquiao has gone back to light training to prepare this early for the November 18 slugfest with “El Terrible”.

Morales is, I believe, not the foolish kind of boxer who does not change strategies especially if he knows that his strategies the last time did not work for him.  He is doing some new stuff to get back at the PACMAN.

His third encounter with PACMAN is going to redefine his status as a boxer.  The big IF, however, is that he must beat Pacquiao and that is just what’s in his mind.

I think he is more focused this time and he has much time to prepare and he is studying Pacquiao carefully devising ways on how to neutralize the power of his latest tormentor.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, knows that he will be facing the best-shaped Morales ever in their trilogy of battle this coming November.

The big question is:  What should Pacquiao do to beat Morales again?  Share your thoughts, people.