After two back to back stoppage losses to Manny Pacquiao in 2006, many people suspected that Erik Morales, a future Hall of Famer, would retire. But the three-division world champion went away, recovered from his battering and spent time with his family. His boxing future was never discussed because he knew it was not yet time to retire.
“I took some time off,” said Morales. “I dedicated myself to my wife and my family and spent some time away. Boxing was never ever brought up.”
30 year-old Morales 48-5 (34) attempts to win a world title in his fourth weight class when he challenges WBC lightweight world champion David Diaz 32-1-1 (17) at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, USA on Saturday night, headlining a Top Rank promotion on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“I really didn’t want to leave without fighting at 135lbs,” said Morales, famous for his epic three-fight series with fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. “I think at this weight I feel very comfortable. I feel very strong at this weight. I think you are going to see a great show and I think you are going to see a great fight and to be honest with you, I really think I can win.”
Coming off four losses in his last five fights, Morales was beaten and hurt badly by the powerhouse Manny Pacquiao on November 18, 2006. The Mexican great suggested that his struggle to make the junior lightweight limit affected his performance.
“In our second fight,” he explained, “you could see very clearly in the beginning I was doing very well, then in the second half of the fight he took over because I got very tired. In our third fight making 130lbs was very, very tough. But the most important thing now is that we are here in Chicago we are fighting at 135lbs and I don’t expect any problems at all.”
While he has decided to fight on, Morales admits that the end of his career is closer than the beginning.
“I had thought about going into the ring for a final farewell fight,” he said. “The thought about finally leaving has entered my mind, but I really want to focus on this fight right now.”
Asked, if he will retire if he loses to 31 year-old Diaz, a southpaw from Chicago, Morales replied, “I don’t plan on losing. But if it does happen, there have been discussions about Erik Morales not returning to the ring.”
