Showdown number three between Erik Morales and Marco Antonio is going to be a supreme test of exacting physical preparation and heart-who wants it most, according to WBC Executive Secretary Mauricio Sulaiman.
Hosting a meal in Mexico City to toast the survival of the WBC, from Chapter seven bankrupcy, in the absence of his Father Jose, Mauricio was looking to the future, namely the rubber match between Erik and Marco.
He said: “This is going to be a question of heartpower. Whoever comes best prepared and has the greater will to win will triumph. Erik has looked tremendously strong in his last fights especially at super featherweight, so he will have the weight advantage. But Marco has hurt Erik, so it’s going to be a tremendous fight.
“The atmosphere in the build up to this fight is already burning. Everyone is keenly anticipating November 27th. Each of their two fights to date were very close. Both were truely great fights between great fighters and there has been very bad blood between them. They do dislike each other.
“I like Erik so much. He’s such a nice person and the most loyal WBC champion in many years. Marco wants to fight for the WBC, so he’s most welcome. He’s a warrier, who had a tremendous win over Paulie Ayala which brought his price right back up to the market. This is Marco’ last chance. If he looses and has a bad fight he’s gone and out of the big fights. This is a great opportunity for Erik to jump even higher into the top major league of boxing.
The MGM Grand, where the two slugged it out in 2002, in Chapter two of their saga, will be site of their final encounter in the ring. Marco controversially won that one. Erik triumphed, when they first clashed four years ago.
The first time they fought Erik struggled very hard to make the 122 super bantamweight limit and admitted to feeling drained. Their second encounter at featherweight was more even strength wise with the edge in that department probably with Erik. But at super featherweight with Erik’s WBC IBF titles on the line, the odds lie in his favor.
Erik’s only loss was against Marco. Yet Marco has twice lost to Junior Jones, lost against Erik and been mauled by Manny Pacquiao.
Yet for those who say that styles make fights, these two Mexicans are made for each other ringwise.
