Mexican icon Erik Morales (48-5-0, 34KOs) will give it one last shot when he challenges WBC lightweight champion David Diaz (32-1-1, 17KOs) on August 4 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. Morales is on a three fight losing streak, and was stopped in his last two fights (overall losing four of his last five bouts). The last time Morales won a fight was on March 19, 2005, when he scored a unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao. Should he win against Daiz, Morales would become the first Mexican fighter in history to win four major titles in four weight divisions.
Morales is not that familiar with the champion. He told the Chicago-Sun Times that he only knows Diaz from his title winning effort over Jose Armando Santa Cruz. That fight was actually for the interim title. Diaz was given full championship status when Joel Casamayor refused to face him while trying to land a rematch with Acelino Freitas. Morales wants more than anything to achieve history by winning a fourth title.
“I don’t really know much about him,” Morales said. “I just know him from the fight when he won the title. It’s not about being the favorite or not. I’ll be ready for the fight. It’s a very important fight for me. Historically, it’s very important, because I want the fourth title. It doesn’t matter who it’s against, I just want the opportunity to do it”
“This is one place I’ve never fought. And I’ve heard about the Mexican community there. I’m very excited.”
Diaz is not about to lay down and hand over his title. He wants to use Morales to get the respect he feels is missing from his career. He views Morales as the champion in the fight and a win would be like winning the title. Diaz promised the Sun-Times to not let his Chicago fans down.
“I think he better take me seriously,” Diaz said. “I’m training really hard for this fight. It’s my hometown. I have to do everything a notch higher than he’s doing it so I don’t let my people down in Chicago. It’s the first time a world championship fight is being held here when the champ is from Chicago. I’m thankful he wanted to come here. I was surprised.”
“I have a lot riding on this. Not only for the people of Chicago, but for my respect in the boxing community. I know everybody thinks, ‘They gave him the belt.’ So this is my championship fight, where I prove to the world I belong at the 135-pound championship level.”
