Earlier today in Houston, Texas, WBC junior welterweight champion Erik Morales came in two pounds over the 140-pound limit for his first defense against Philadelphia?s Danny Garcia. The title is now vacant and Garcia will be the only one with a chance to claim the belt if he is victorious in tomorrow night?s HBO showdown.
Morales had to give Garcia $50,000 of his reported million-dollar purse in order for the bout to push forward. Looking ripped at the weigh-in as he came in at 139.5 pounds, Garcia adds the sum to the $175,000 check he was going to cash for the contest.
While it?s always a shame for a fighter to come in overweight, Morales had endeared himself to fans over the years and has gotten a bit of a ?pass? by some for his failure to make weigh today. Morales? legacy is already set but the reality is that he looks to be facing an uphill battle against the 24-year old Garcia, who will be making his first HBO appearance.
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For images of Morales and Garcia, and other participants from tomorrow’s show weighing in, plus bonus shots of Fight Week in Houston, please visit the slideshow on the left or chekc out Morales comes in overweight by 2 pounds, forfeits title in bout with Garcia
