WBC#7/WBA#15 Japanese 140-pound champ Norio Kimura (33-5-2, 17 KOs), a durable hard-punching southpaw, has left for Mexico City today (Monday) in order to serve as a sparring partner for WBC super-feather champ Juan Manuel Marquez in his preparation for his crucial defense against Manny Pacquiao on March 15. Kimura, 29, disclosed an interesting episode when he previously worked as a sparring partner for Erik Morales prior to El Terrible?s final showdown with Pacman.
Kimura has a habit of celebrating his friendship with both gloves extended to the face of his partner in the ring to show his affinity with him. He did it to Morales in the gym. According to Kimura, the Mexican superstar, sensing that his ear drums might burst, became terribly furious at the Japanese sparring partner. Morales began kicking at Kimura in anger. Why didn?t he punch the Japanese with his fists? Just to protect his hands before his important Pacquiao fight. Kimura recalled the incident, ?Morales misunderstood my affectionate act.?
Since then, Morales seldom used Kimura in sparring sessions as El Terrible had a strong dislike for him. This time, Kimura will do this with Juan Manuel Marquez in Mexico. If he does so, he might be kicked by Marquez.
