This Saturday on HBO Erik ‘El Terrible’ Morales, 48-2 (34), will face off against the ‘Z-man’ Zahir Raheem, 28-0 (16). While there are many who see this fight as a mere formality on the way to a Morales and Manny Pacquiao rematch, others are seeing this as a competitive bout and possible upset situation. This fight pits two skilled boxers against each other, one with an unquestionable warrior spirit, and the other with speed and skill that can befuddle many an opponent.
Erik Morales is well known to all boxing fans, he is an accomplished fighter, proud champion, and future hall of fame inductee. El Terrible could retire today and still go down in the books as one of the best fighters ever, a fan favorite, and an icon to his fellow countrymen. It is his warrior spirit and need to excel that continues to push him to succeed. Morales has fought a who’s who of fighters from 122 up to 130, with names like Marco Antonio Barrera, Injin Chi, Paulie Ayala, Kevin Kelley and, most recently, Pacquiao fill his resume. Morales possesses great ability, and a great chin, with incomparable conditioning and power to boot. Against Raheem, Morales should cut off the ring, using his jab and ability to pressure to prevent Raheem’s speed and boxing ability from being as much of a factor. Morales should make good use of that straight right cross that he used to great effect against Pac-man, using this to catch Raheem as he tries to land his straight left while coming in. While Morales doesn’t need to make this a war, he should use his ability to pressure to sap the energy of the Z-man early in the fight by concentrating some good shots to the body of Raheem. If he can take away Raheem’s legs by taking away his wind he will make the fight that much easier on himself.
Zahir Raheem is a very talented fighter who was cheated of victory in his somewhat sloppy fight with Rocky Juarez. Raheem, while not the youngest fighter, does not have a lot of mileage on him, something that Morales does have, and has good skill, movement, and decent pop. While Raheem’s power will probably not dissuade Morales, it can work to keep him honest, and if used properly could help keep him at a decent distance. Raheem should use his considerable skill to try and befuddle and outbox the veteran Morales, staying on the outside and picking his shots carefully. Raheem is the naturally bigger fighter, and when the two get in close he should use this advantage to tie up and try to outmuscle his opponent.
This fight has the potential to be a good one, with two skilled and strong fighters squaring up against each other this Saturday. The bout will probably start out as a clear cut boxing match, with both fighters using their skill to try and feel out each other, while picking shots and trying to dish out some early damage. As the fight wears on Morales will begin to apply more pressure, which should cause Raheem to slow down some. As the fight goes on Morales should continue to build his lead, and outbox and possibly begin to sting Raheem. While Raheem will be game, and will have some moments of his own, Morales edge in experience and competition will be a deciding factor, allowing him to win either by unanimous decision, or by late round stoppage, and hopefully leading us to a rematch of Morales and Pac-man.
