Ring legend Erik Morales attempts to make boxing history by becoming the first Mexican to win four world titles when he faces David Diaz for the WBC lightweight crown at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, this morning (Manila time) but for Filipino fans, the undercard will be as widely watched as El Terrible’s date with destiny.
Three Filipino fighters are seeing action in supporting bouts and one of them, Rodel Mayol, is bidding to dethrone IBF lightflyweight champon Ulises (Archie) Solis of Mexico in his US debut.
The two other Filipinos in Top Rank’s card are Bernabe Concepcion who battles Gabriel Elizondo for the vacant North American Boxing Federation superbantamweight title in a 12-rounder and superfeatherweight Mercito Gesta who takes on Carlos Madrid in a sixer.
Morales tipped the scales at 135 pounds in yesterday’s weigh-in. It was the heaviest he has weighed for a bout in seven years but Morales said the added poundage won’t be a problem. Diaz checked in at 133 3/4.
Morales struggled to make the superfeatherweight limit of 130 in his last two fights against Manny Pacquiao and blamed a draining weight reduction regimen for sapping his energy in losing to the Filipino icon. Morales said he has now allowed his natural weight to evolve and enjoyed an “excellent” training camp that put him in shape for an all-out war against Diaz.
Morales, 30, said despite losing to Pacquiao, retirement never crossed his mind because he has unfinished business in the ring. He is determined to establish his place in boxing history and Diaz is his ticket to a fourth world title.
Morales said after beating Diaz, he will make a championship defense in his Tijuana hometown then decide whether or not to hang up his gloves. He told Filipino friends he will be in Manila for the WBC convention in November this year.
The Philippines has become a second home for Morales who has visited here twice with his wife Andrea to film TV commercials.
Diaz, 31, compiled a 175-16 record as an amateur before turning pro in 1996, the year he represented the US at the Atlanta Olympics. He lost a 14-6 decision to Germany’s Oktay Ukral in the second round of Olympic eliminations and failed to win a medal. His extensive amateur background was a source of irritation in the run-up to this morning’s bout.
Morales was misinterpreted as referring to Diaz as “amateurish” when he only commented on the southpaw’s “amateur” or Olympic style. Diaz lashed out at Morales for insulting his ability and created a stir in media. Morales, however, refused to be goaded into a word war, clarifying he meant no offense.
Morales, now a fan favorite among Filipinos, has a 48-5 record, with 34 KOs. Diaz’ record is 32-1-1, with 17 KOs. He was stopped by unheralded Kendall Holt and drew with Ramazan Palyani two years ago. Experience is Morales’ advantage and he will no doubt use craftsmanship in his assault on the record books.
Mayol, 25, broke out of his contract with Japanese manager Yasuo Matsuoka and found refuge in ex-Green Beret Terry Carter’s home in Georgia this year. Carter is married to a Filipina, Joy Ouano, and lived for years in Cebu where he managed the Stonewall boxing stable. Carter brought Mayol to Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser Michael Koncz who arranged the title fight through Solis’ manager Fernando Beltran.
Concepcion, 19, is a rising star with a 21-1-1 record, including 11 KOs. His Aljoe Jaro stablemate is newly crowned IBF minimumweight champion Florante Condes. Elizondo, 28, has beaten Filipinos Glenn Donaire and Manny Melchor and will be Concepcion’s biggest test so far.
Gesta, 19, is up against a Mexican trialhorse with an 8-3 record, including two KOs. The Mandaue left-hander hasn’t fought since outpointing former Philippine champion Lee Escobido two years ago and has vowed to make mincemeat of Madrid in his US debut. He has trained long and hard for Madrid, hoping to make an impact as another Filipino warrior in the Pacquiao mold.
