The double-header featuring Erik Morales against fellow RING-rated 140-pound contender Danny Garcia and Carlos Molina against fellow RING-rated junior middleweight James Kirkland has been rescheduled for March 24 at the same venue — the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas — according to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.
The HBO-televised bouts were originally scheduled for Jan. 28 until gall bladder surgery endured by Morales (52-7, 36 knockouts) last Wednesday forced Monday’s announcement of his withdrawal from the first defense of his WBC belt against Garcia (22-0, 14 KOs).
“The four-fight card has been moved to March 24 at the same venue, the Reliant Arena in Houston, Texas. Everything is exactly the same, even the venue,” said Schaefer.
“So we were very fortunate to have been able to work that out with HBO and with the Reliant Stadium. They had it on hold for another event, but we were able to clear it and we just confirmed the date and the venue and we’ve informed all of the fighters.”
Morales had gallstones removed.
“We’ve checked as well with Erik Morales’ doctors, and he would have been able to go as early as mid-February or so, but there were no dates available,” said Schaefer. “So March is the perfect date, and Erik will be ready to go, and so are all of the other fighters, and we’re very, very excited about that.”
