LOS ANGELES ? The legendary Mexican warrior known as ?El Terrible? is ready to take on Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather or anyone who dares to cross his path in a resurrected career that has taken an upturn after a 2 1/2 year layoff.
WBC lightwelterweight champion Erik Morales, 35, said yesterday with his new-found dedication and discipline, he?s confident of rejoining the ranks of the world?s best pound-for-pound fighters. Last September, he halted previously unbeaten Pablo Cesar Cano in the 10th round to capture the vacant WBC 140-pound title and in the process, became the first Mexican to win four world crowns in different divisions.
Asked if it?s true that he?s being lined up to face Mayweather in May, Morales said Golden Boy?s Richard Schaefer spoke to him recently about a possible bout against Pretty Boy. ?There was no proposal, no offer,? he said. ?All Schaefer wanted to know if I?d be open to fight Mayweather and I told him why not??
If given the choice to fight Pacquiao or Mayweather, Morales said he prefers the Filipino icon. ?I have a lot of respect for Manny but in my heart, I know I?m the better fighter,? he said. ?I?m the last fighter to beat him and he stopped me twice only because I had difficulty in making the weight. I had a chance to speak with Manny during the (Jorge) Linares fight in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and asked him about maybe, doing a fourth fight. If it happens, we could do it in November next year. I was also asked if I could fight (Juan Manuel) Marquez before he fought Manny last Saturday. I?m open to it but I really don?t know Marquez? plans. I heard his family wants him to retire and not pursue a fourth fight against Manny.?
Morales said he plans to stake his WBC throne in Mexico this January then take a trip to Manila to visit his Filipino friends. He is particularly close with Filipino businessman and horse owner Hermie Esguerra. After the January defense, Morales said he?ll study offers to fight whomever possibly on May 5, the Mexican ?Cinco de Mayo? holiday.
