MORALES BEATEN EASILY ON HBO BY “Z-MAN!”
When Zahir Raheem won the 1996 Olympic Trials, I thought he was destined for first, amateur glory, and then a professional title. A loss in the Olympics to a Cuban, this put Zahir in a “bummed out” mood that lasted nine-plus years. In 2004, an undefeated Raheem went into Houston, TX, and was beaten on points by Rocky Juarez, and the referee. On Saturday night, Zahir went into the lion’s den, and fought Morales tooth and nail!
“Z-MAN” STARTED WHIPPING ON ERIK YEARS AGO!
A focused Zahir, one that seemed to be the fighter I once thought he would be, came out ultra-confident. Morales, he began the fight standing in front of the Philadelphian, now based in Tulsa, OK, and before you knew it, Erik had dropped the opening stanza. Looking like he was just getting warmed up, Morales came off the stool somewhat determined for the second. That being said, Raheem won the second, the third, as well as the fourth.
HAROLD LEDERMAN GAVE ERIK “WELFARE” ROUND!
Although he did better in the fourth, I thought Zahir won the 180 second fight. It may have been closer than any of the others, and HBO’s Harold Lederman gave the round to Morales. In the fifth, Raheem looked as if he stunned Morales at one point. Backing up the betting favorite, Zahir won the fifth very impressively.
SIXTH ROUND SAW ERIK STUN “Z-MAN!”
With both fighters slipping around the ring from the opening bell on, especially Zahir, referee Jon Schorle could not administer to the “slippery” spot in the Staples Center ring. Because, it wasn’t caused by water, it the slick painted label on the canvas. And even though Morales had a moment, Zahir had more, as Lederman and I agreed this time, and gave the round to Raheem. On the www.RingTalk.com scorecard, the skinny kid from Philly was pitching a shutout at 70-63.
MORALES WAS “LOST” AND CONFUSED FOR MOST PART!
I am writing this between rounds, and all Morales’ corner keeps complaining about referee Schorle, criticism that was totally unwarranted. In the eighth, “Z” landed a good left hook, and some right hands. At the end of the round, Morales had lost yet another three-minute session of battle.
DOES IT GET ANY EASIER FOLKS?
With eight rounds in the bank, Zahir’s only shot at going home a loser was to get caught, or be robbed by three California judges. 668 Landing six punches in the seventh, six more in the eighth, and eight connections in the ninth. Straight up, the Erik Morales we knew wasn’t even in the building after ten rounds, let alone in the fight.
WAS MORALES CORNER ON DRUGS? OR IS DADDY A DUMMY?
The banter coming out of the Morales corner, the majority of which was unadulterated bulls*it, it was never “constructive.” If they weren’t complaining about the referee, Jose Morales, Erik’s father, he was saying, “he’s not doing anything. (Zahir) He’s just trying to survive.
ELEVENTH ROUND SAW SOME LIFE IN ERIK!
With the fight out of reach on the scorecards, Erik landed a right hand, that made Zahir teeter around and off balance. It looked as if Zahir’s glove touched the canvas, but it was really unclear on the various replays.
ZAHIR WAS BEATING MORALES EASILY!
The 12th and final round, I gave it to Morales, only because I, like Lederman earlier, I had to give a round to Erik. In the end, I had it 119-109. Judge James Jen Kin scored it 116-112, Julie Lederman (Harold’s daughter) tabbed things 118-110. Judge Raul Caiz Sr., he was trying like hell to give the fight to Morales, as he put forward a 115-113 card. And for the record, he should be ashamed of having a “rout” that close!
RAHEEM CAN NOW CALL THE SHOTS!
With the win, Zahir is now 27-1. Morales, a loser for only the third time professionally, he is now 48-3. Although Raheem, now poised for a big payday, is on track, I’d like to see him fight WBA champ Juan Diaz again. This time, without a “bought and paid for” referee, Diaz may end up second best.
