After his proposed super-showdown against countryman Juan Manuel Marquez was blown into smithereens, Erik Morales, now age 34, is about to have the fight of his life. He is about to test if he can withstand the power of a young and upcoming fighter in Marcos Maidana, a 27-year old powerful boxer and a former 140lb champio. The fight for the vacant WBA Jr. Welterweight title on April 9 is a daunting task for Morales. Experts believe that Maidana will be too powerful for him at this stage.
There is quite a handful of 34-year old and above fighters today but only few have experienced the kind of war this Tijuana native had gone through. He had a lot of great battles in the ring, and among his famous battles was against fellow 3-division champ Marco Antonio Barrera, In-Jin-Chi, Paulie Ayala, and 10-time world champion Manny Pacquiao. He has already secured his legacy and a hands-down first-ballot hall of famer someday. He already garnered a total of 57 fights and became a 5-time world champion fighting the who?s who in the boxing world.
But when his bid in 2007 to capture the WBC lightweight championship against David Diaz proved to be unsuccessful, he decided to retire, and with a heavy heart. He knew it wasn?t time to say ?no mas? to boxing yet so he decided to try it one more time. He wants to regain something he lost when he retired last 2007; his pride. On his comeback, he won all of his three fights but many boxing experts who witnessed his return were unimpressed with his performance. He was slow, fat, and nowhere near the Erik Morales form that we all loved. Freddie Roach has even said in his interview at Boxingscene.com that ?he fears for Erik Morales? health?. Who wouldn?t?
Erik Morales is among the five legendary Mexicans who had titles in three divisions, and he wants to add one more title to his collection. His 1st knockdown and KO loss only came at the hands of Pacquiao about 5 years ago, and it was savage. When Roach said that he feared for Morales? health, he knew it was not about his age, but his attitude towards the ring. ?El Terrible? always comes to fight and he never backs out on any challenges. But he is also known to have a granite chin with a lot of heart. He thrives for these kinds of challenges; this is what drives him to reach a somewhat unreachable goal.
His goal to become the first-ever Mexican boxer to win titles in 4 different weight classes is what really brought him back into the sport. He fights not for the money, or for the limelight. He fights because he wants to have something in which he might not be able to have a chance again if he quits today. Sure, the old Erik Morales will not be there anymore but the man has serious balls. He wants something, and he will do anything to have it. He wants that 4th division title before age finally says ?no mas, Erik? no mas, no mas?.
