LOS ANGELES — If things go on as planned, Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales are in for a big rematch on Jan. 21 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao made this announcement before a couple of scribes Sunday as he bared some major details of the fight contract that was signed as early as July.

Under the contract, the highly-awaited rematch would be held at the Thomas and Mack Center inside the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus, the home of the Runnin’ Rebels in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

And Pacquiao’s purse?

Just the same: A whopping $1.75 million or roughly P98 million. It was the same amount the native of General Santos City received when he fought the crafty Mexican for the first time last March 19.

Morales is expected to receive a purse close to Pacquiao’s — probably even more.

Pacquiao lost the classic 12-round battle with Morales at the MGM Grand after suffering a deep cut on his right eyebrow midway through the fifth round.

The Filipino held on the rest of the way. Observers believe that if not for the cut, caused by a head butt that was ruled by referee Joe Cortez as a good punch, the fight could have gone the other way.

Pacquiao and Morales are both in the closing stages of their training for a Sept. 10 fight against separate opponents — Mexican Hector Velazquez and American Zahir Raheem, respectively.

Pacquiao has logged in 91 rounds of sparring as of Saturday at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, and did at least three more in his final sparring day Monday.

Pacquiao went for a 30-minute jog at the Griffith Park at 5:30 a.m. Sunday, then heard Mass at the Christ the King Church at 9 o’clock. He stayed in his apartment the rest of the day.

Pacquiao sparred 10 rounds against three different boxers Saturday, still finishing strong and looking ready for more. He now weighs 131 lbs, just a shade over the 130 lb limit for the coming bout set at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

After he closed his final sparring, Pacquiao stayed inside his apartment unit at the plush La Palazzo until Wednesday — no visitors, no phone calls.

He said he only left his nest on Thursday for the 11 a.m. press conference and Friday’s 3 p.m. weigh-in.

“Dito lang ako sa loob ng apartment hanggang Wednesday para mas focused,” said Pacquiao, looking even more determined in training as compared to his previous fights.

When he’s home, Pacquiao stays mostly inside his room where balikbayan boxes of Team Pacquiao apparel are stacked in one corner. He spends time playing his $2,000 Taylor guitar or just watching TV.

Ceremonial first pitch

Since he played baseball in his younger days, he certainly knew what he was doing.

So, there was nothing new, nothing difficult for Pacquiao when he threw the ceremonial first pitch during a recent game in Anaheim between the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Pacquiao, therefore, felt at ease despite the fact that he was pitching at Angel Stadium, that it was for a Major League Baseball game, and that he had to do it in front of 45,000 fans, most of them cheered when his name was announced.

After all, Pacquiao is already a certified world-class athlete.

“Sanay na ako sa madaming tao. At sanay din naman ako sa baseball. Pitcher din ako noong nasa elementary pa ako,” said Pacquiao, believed to be the first Filipino ever to do the honor during a Major League game.

“Ganun ba? Una ba ako?” he said, recalling the moment when he threw the pitch last Sept. 1. He was wearing a red Angels cap, white jersey, black cargo pants and rubber shoes.

He kept the cap, jersey and the baseball for souvenir, adding that they will surely be part of a career museum he plans to build someday.

Pacquiao said he threw a fast-ball in his Major League debut.

“Fast-ball yun,” he boasted, his pitch driving just a little short but straight toward the catcher.

Pacquiao was introduced to, and shook hands with Major League superstar Vladimir Guerrero of the Angels before the ceremonial pitch.

Pacquiao just wrapped up training at the Wild Card Gym when he went to Angel Stadium on board his Lincoln Navigator that was driven by his personal adviser Joe Ramos. With them were two other associates, Jayke Joson and Clem Asencio.

On their way back to the apartment, Pacquiao said he could only look back at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Hindi ko makakalimutan yun,” he said.he said.