FOR ?EL TERRIBLE? MORALES, THE HEAT IS ON!
And while I don?t think Erik Morales is feeling the pressure the people of the Philippines bestowed upon Manny Pacquiao, Erik is one of Mexico?s favorite sons. Turning professional in Tijuana, MX on March 29, 1993 when he drilled Jose Orejel in a deuce, ?El Terrible? is beginning to get major backing, in both the Press and those wagering money on the March 19 clash that will emanate from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Early on, the money was on Pacquiao, but recently a shift in attitudes have people betting Morales.
MADE MANY TRIPS TO THE BORDER TOWN OF TJ!
I began to take notice of the elongated fighter when he was set to appear in his first 12-rounder, this less than two years after his turning professional. In December of 1994, Morales made a huge statement in his thirteenth professional fight when he chilled Pepillo Valdez (44-9) inside of three complete rounds in TJ. Everybody filing out of the Tijuana Auditorium that night they had just seen a prospect that need not build his record fighting cab drivers.
PEOPLE AWAITING & EXPECTING THE CORONATION
Even before winning the WBC 122 lb. crown from Daniel Zaragoza, Erik Morales was for all intents and purposes, the ?Uncrowned Champion.? After halting the grizzled champion in round 11, Erik went on quite a roll. Those on the short end included once beaten Juan Carlos Ramirez, Junior Jones, and Wayne McCullough. In his next outing, Morales would meet archrival Marco Antonio Barrera in what would be the first of three fights to date. After 36-minutes of violence, Morales escapes with a Split Decision, this even though most people felt Barrera had won!
NO DOUBT ERIK?S A BONAIFIDE ?SUPER FIGHTER!?
In was in this February 2000 fight that we first saw the ?Heart & Soul? of Erik Morales. And in the five years since, he has done nothing to take away from his stature as one of Mexico?s greatest pugilists. With two setbacks on a professional resume of 49 fights, with 34 KO?s, Morales has went 17-2 in WBC championship fights to date. His last fight was against Barrera in November and Erik lost a Majority Decision.
WILL ERIK BUST MANNY UP & BAD?
For the people that are backing Morales here, they see a win by knockout! Said one fan, ?The height, reach, and especially the experience in big events like this, it all favors Morales. Manny is short, and he?ll have to pay a price to get inside. He can?t pay it, or take it, Morales wins by KO inside of seven rounds.?
?EL TERRIBLE? THE PRIDE OF TIJUANA!
When Morales steps into the ring with Manny Pacquiao on March 19, the entire city of Tijuana will come to a halt! Tourists walking across the border from San Ysidro, they?re going to have a tough time catching a cab that evening. Anytime a fight of this magnitude involving favorite son Erik Morales occurs, the busy streets of his hometown are barren. The only question right now is, will they be celebrating or mourning when it?s all said and done?
