Erik Morales is fighting Marco Antonio Barrera for a third time over the objections of his father, a former boxer who has been in his son’s corner since the Tijuana favorite began his career in 1993.
“I respect my father,” Morales said, “but I have always chosen my fights. I will be there (at the MGM Grand Garden Arena) on Nov. 27. I will show up for the fight.”
As Morales detailed it through an interpreter during a conference call from his training site near Mexico City, his father contends that Barrera has not done enough since the second Morales-Barrera match in June 2002 to merit this renewal of what has been boxing’s most compelling series.
“The biggest thing for my dad was he saw what Barrera had done over the last few years and what I had done,” Morales said. “There is no comparison. I fought tough fighters. I fought Paulie Ayala, Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez, while he just fought Ayala two years after I beat him, and then he fought Manny Pacquiao, probably the only good fighter he has fought, and he got knocked out by the guy.”
Morales said his father believes Barrera should have been required to have opposed some rivals of substance before being granted this rematch. “It would be a bigger fight,” Morales said.
As it is, it’s plenty big. This is believed to be the first title-bout trilogy: fighters meeting for titles at three weights.
The first Morales-Barrera match in February 2000 was at 122 pounds, Morales winning a controversial decision. The second was at 126, Barrera being awarded a decision many felt rightfully should have gone to his opponent. This one is at 130, the weight at which Morales said he feels most comfortable.
“This is the weight that maybe I should have been fighting a long time ago,” Morales said. “I’m a more complete fighter at 130; this is a good weight for me. I think you’re going to see the difference. I’m going to be stronger. I’m going to be able to do more things that I couldn’t do because of the weight.”
In a separate conference call from Big Bear, where he has been training, Barrera conceded that Morales seemingly has an advantage at 130, but said his greater heart will offset it.
Countered Morales: “You’ve seen my fights. I never have ended up with my face on the ground, as he has,” referring to Barrera’s loss to Pacquiao.
“I always fight to the end. I never quit on anybody. I am always there,” Morales said. “If anybody questions my heart, they can watch my fights.”
