Manny PACMAN Pacquiao is set to leave for the United States this weekend to begin a rigorous training in what could be the biggest test of his colorful ring career.

On November 18, 2006, he will climb up the square ring to face tormentor and victim Erik “El Terrible” Morales.  Morales is obviously the underdog in their rubber match not only because he lost to PACMAN the last time, but also because he has lost four of his last five fights.

That being the case, there is not much pressure on Morales’ part.  He’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain and if the camp of Pacquiao will not do their homework, Morales might just score one of the big boxing upsets this year.

Pacquiao and his team, however, are very much aware of the implications of a loss to Morales so they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to put an end to Morales’ boxing career and bring the name of Pacquiao to more marketable status.

Freddie Roach will look after the PACMAN’s training himself and his Wild Card Boxing Gym will again play a major role of an excellent training camp for the exciting Filipino ring idol.

Roach has prepared a systematic 18-week training for Pacquiao to get into the best of shape and in the best armored boxer.

First thing to do is to bring Pacquiao’s weight to the best level.  In the previous trainings that Roach has trained the PACMAN, the weight has not been a big problem and there’s no indication that it will be a problem this time.

The second priority is to bring Pacquiao’s firepower to the maximum, especially his vaunted left straight and the vastly improved right jab and hook.  The fight with Larios showed how Manny’s right hand has done considerable damage to the excellently trained Larios.  In the rematch with Morales, Pacquiao broke the nose of Erik with a powerful left straight that sent Morales staggering by the ropes.

The third thing foremost in Roach’s mind is to condition Pacquiao’s stamina to last long enough without losing much firepower.  He knows that Morales will be coming in probably the best shape of his career and Roach knows just how to neutralize a Morales assault–make him work hard until he loses steam in the later rounds where he will be ripe for the taking.

When the bell rings in the first round, the whole Filipino nation will again be behind Pacquiao’s corner.  Things will again come to a stop and Pacmania will again prevail in the air.  Even the whole world will be anxiously watching every blow that the PACMAN throws.