Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday called on Negrenses to offer prayers to Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, who will take on Mexican rival Erik "El Terrible" Morales tomorrow at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

"I see no reason why he should not win because all Filipinos, especially the Negrenses will be behind him. The whole of Negros will be cheering for Pacquiao and I am requesting everyone to pray for his success," Marañon told the DAILY STAR.

During yesterday's weigh-in in Las Vegas, Pacquiao, who is expected to earn $2 million for the fight, said he is looking forward to the rematch of their March 19, 2005 clash, where Morales scored a unanimous decision victory.

In Bacolod City, three television sets will be installed at the City Hall parking lot with Dream TV beaming the fight live starting 8 a.m. to allow Bacoleños to watch the match without commercial breaks. The Pacquiao-Morales rematch will also be shown in the Burgos, Libertad and Central Markets at 9 a.m. via Sky Cable.

Over at the BAYS Center, ABS-CBN, which has television rights to the fight, will show the boxing match on a widescreen starting 10 a.m.

Pacquiao (40-3-2, 32 KOs) is coming off a sixth-round demolition of Mexican Hector Velazquez in a September card that also featured Morales, who lost to American Zahir Raheem.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said they learned a lot about Morales in their first encounter.

"He used his jab very effectively and so forth," Roach said of Morales. "We didn't expect him to do as well as he did. And he backed Manny up when he put Manny on the ropes where he didn't need to be.

"So he fought a good fight but not exactly what we expected. We expect it this time."

Morales (48-3, 34 KOs) says he is prepared for Pacquiao to try and outlast him. "I don't think he's a techniquely sound fighter I think he depends on his power," Morales said. "If I had to rate his defenses Id would think he's a five out of 10." *CIT with an AFP report

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