Next weekend Erik Morales will set foot into the ring to face off with Scotland’s Willie Limond in a welterweight bout in Mexico City, Mexico. Long gone are Morales? glory days between 122 and 130 pounds where he stamped himself as one of the world?s most exciting and fearless fighters. Now 34 years old, the Tijuana fighter seems to recognize that his moment in the sun has passed and that future fights like the ones against Limond are more of an encore to what has been an incredible career.
Morales turned professional at the age of sixteen on March 29th, 1993 and built upon his record in Mexico, California and Nevada. His first taste of a world title came in his thrilling September 1997 clash with Daniel Zaragoza in which he outlasted the grizzled veteran and stopped him with a body shot in the 11th round to claim the WBC junior featherweight crown.
Morales would defend his belt nine times against the likes of Wayne McCollough, Junior Jones, Angel Chacon and finally Marco Antonio Barrera in February of 2000. The Barrera fight was a riveting affair in which the two fierce rivals slugged away at one another for twelve scintillating rounds. Morales would end up facing his Mexico City counterpart twice more before calling it a day, losing two competitive decisions.
Morales would also win titles at 126 and 130 pounds while showing his versatility as he defeated very capable men such as Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Paulie Ayala, In-Jin Chi, and Guty Espadas Jr. amongst others. It was always a mystery how Morales was able to squeeze his 5?8 frame down to make weight and he was regarded as one of the sport?s most active and aggressive titlists.
Another man Morales was able to get to know very well was Manny Pacquiao, the reigning WBO welterweight champion widely regarded as the world?s premier fighter. Morales’ March 2005 decision over Pacquiao was one of his finest outings as a professional as he simply took the initiative in his upset victory. Just as resounding, however, were Morales? two knockouts losses to Pacquiao in their following encounters.
Morales? last fight was a twelve round decision over former lightweight champion Jose Alfaro in Monterrey, Mexico this past March at 147 pounds. Morales captured the victory but there were those who felt that the Nicaraguan had done enough to steal the verdict. Prior to that Morales had been in the middle of a four-fight losing streak as his two losses to Pacquiao were book ended by a September 2005 defeat to Zahir Raheem and an August 2007 nod to Chicago?s David Diaz.
It is hard to envision Morales having a huge amount of success in the welterweight class and perhaps his most realistic chance at reliving his glory would be a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez at or near 140 pounds. Morales has been in talks with Golden Boy Promotions? Richard Schaefer about the contest and if he gets past Limond don?t be surprised to see the match come off in 2011. For the moment that is Erik?s best option.
For a picture by picture look at some of Morales? career moments please check out the slideshow below?
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at [email protected]
