“I wouldn’t have any problems facing the winner of the Corrales vs. Castillo fight…” as well as reminding everyone the way most fighters do, “As far as fights are concerned, don’t ask me, ask the people. If the people want to see the rematch with Pacquiao, because they think that at that moment he wasn’t at his best, well then we’ll do the rematch…”
On the day of his 29th birthday, Erik Morales joined us on teleconference call from Mexico City to promote his September 10th showdown with the former 1996 Olympian Zahir Rahim. Erik sounded extremely cheerful and welcomed all members of the press with open arms. A legend in his own right, Erik Morales is one of the premier Mexican fighters in the game right now. A first ballot hall of famer no doubt. During the call, “El Terrible” dropped a major bombshell on us. It was mentioned that the main event on the “Double Trouble” card will take place at 135. I remember saying to myself, “Holy Cow!”. Can you imagine a fight between Diego “Chico” Corrales and Erik Morales. Not only does that rhyme, but the bout would be one step better than spectacular. As if the Top Rank saga with Gary Shaw Productions needed more new developments. As this soap opera unfolds right in front of our very eyes, these truly are the day’s of our lives…
Now if Pacquiao beats Velazquez and Morales surpasses Rahim, all likely scenarios, then a rematch with Manny Pacquiao is warranted. But “Pacman” is fighting at 130 and Morales is fighting at 135. Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach had alluded to the fact that there best weight was 126, so you know “Pacman” isn’t moving to 135. Thus leaving Morales looking at possibly facing the winner of the Castillo-Corrales rematch. What happened to the rematch with Pacquiao? Erik addressed both questions by telling all who hooked up and in attendance that, “I wouldn’t have any problems facing the winner of the Corrales vs Castillo fight…” as well as reminding everyone the way most fighters do, “As far as fights are concerned, don’t ask me, ask the people. If the people want to see the rematch with Pacquiao, because they think that at that moment he wasn’t at his best, well then we’ll do the rematch…
Throughout Erik’s career he never really took body shots all that well. Barrera hurt him to the body in the three fights and so did Pacquiao early on. Now fighting at lightweight, the punches are going to becoming to him a lot harder than when he was at junior featherweight. When asked about if any special techniques were implemented during training to improve his chances of not getting hurt to the body as much, Morales responded by saying, ” I train to not get hit. Boxing is hitting and not getting hit. I didn’t do anything special in particular, I am doing what I always did, nothing different. I am prepared for whatever Rahim brings to the ring that night.” He also feels that his major gain at 135 will be the fact that he will be more resilient because he didn’t have to endure so much physically.
You can never question Erik Morales’s fortitude. He has treated us to so many thrills throughout his illustrious career. His legacy has been established as true blood and guts warrior. Still you have to wonder that after 50 professional fights and considering the amount of punishment absorbed over the years, how many fights does Erik have left in him before gracefully bowing out. When asked, ” How many fights would he like to have before retiring?” Morales said, “That’s a good question, I don’t know. I would like to say that I am going to retire within the next two to three years but I don’t know. When I do retire I want to go out on top and walk away from the game for good. I don’t want to make the same mistake that I have seen other fighters make in where they retire and comeback. When I retire it will be for good. But as far as a number of fights, I couldn’t tell you. When my body tells me, then I’ll know. Extremely strong words. This is pride personified.
The bout will be televised live on HBO from the Staples Center in sunny Los Angeles, California. Tickets for the “Double Trouble” card start out at $25, $50, $100, $200, $300. This card is brought to you by Top Rank, Inc. in association with Gary Shaw Productions.
