Three-time world boxing champion Erik (El Terrible) Morales won?t be in Las Vegas to watch the Manny Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera ?Will To Win? rematch on Oct. 6, contrary to earlier reports that he would cheer for the Filipino icon at ringside.
Morales, 31, has fought Pacquiao and Barrera in separate trilogies, beating each foe once. Although Morales is Mexican like Barrera, there is no love lost between them especially since none of the three decisions in their fights was decisive. In contrast, Pacquiao knocked out Morales twice in convincing fashion and they?ve now become friends, even appearing in San Miguel Beer commercials together.
Sportsman-businessman Hermie Esguerra told The STAR recently Morales decided to skip the Las Vegas bout because he will be in training for his rematch against WBC lightweight champion David Diaz.
?I called up Erik to wish him a happy birthday last Sept. 1,? said Esguerra who became acquainted with Morales during his first trip here early this year and is now a close friend. ?I?m sure Erik doesn?t want to take away anything from either Manny or Barrera so he?s not attending the fight. Besides, he?ll be training for Diaz.?
Esguerra confirmed Morales? decision to unretire and take on Diaz anew. Last August, Morales announced his decision to retire after losing a disputed 12-round verdict to Diaz in Rosemont, Illinois, thwarting his attempt to become the first Mexican to win four world titles in different divisions.
When Pacquiao was informed of Morales? decision, he said he can understand why.
?I think Morales beat Diaz,? said Pacquiao. ?I watched the fight on TV. Besides, he?s still young. He has some more good years left. I wish him all the best.?
It wasn?t only Pacquiao who thought Morales did enough to dethrone Diaz. Most ringsiders felt the same way. Fighting before a homecrowd, Diaz won the nod of the three judges who were clearly swayed by his aggressiveness. Diaz threw more punches but Morales landed the cleaner shots, including the hook that produced the fight?s only knockdown in the first round. Morales connected 29 percent of his blows, compared to Diaz? 22.
?I think Erik was encouraged by the reaction of the fans,? said Esguerra. ?I watched the fight beside Erik?s wife (Andrea) in the arena. I saw for myself what the fans? reaction was. It?s an unsettled issue between him and Diaz.?
Esguerra said Morales has a special bond with the Mexican people, especially the common folk.
?Erik took me to Tijuana a few days after the fight and I saw the common people line up in the streets to greet him,? said Esguerra. ?Erik is a hero to them. He takes care of them. It?s a fiesta in Tijuana when he comes to visit. They respect him. The fans love him and call him ?el campeon.??
Morales, who grew up in the slums of Tijuana, is involved in several charity projects in his hometown. His pet project is providing schools with computers for elementary students.
Esguerra said the Morales-Diaz rematch will be in January, but not in Illinois.
?Andrea is sad because the family won?t be together for Christmas and New Year?s Day,? said Esguerra. ?Erik will be in training camp for the holidays.?
Esguerra also said Morales will not attend the WBC Convention in Manila in November.
?Erik is postponing his Manila trip,? said Esguerra. ?He misses the Philippines and loves Amanpulo because of its concept as a resort haven. Andrea will give birth to their second child in November so he?d like to be close to her during her delivery.?
Esguerra said Morales is out to prove a point in facing Diaz once more.
?A big motivation is his desire to become the first Mexican to win a fourth world title,? said Esguerra. ?He can make history. The judges robbed him of that honor in their first fight.?
