VISITING Mexican fighter Erik Morales knows Jorge Solis’ fighting style like the palm of his hand and he expects Filipino Manny Pacquiao to emerge victorious in their April 14 meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
“Solis is good and strong,” said Morales, who used to spar with the 27-year-old Guadalajara native in preparation for Pacquiao last year.
While Solis remains a dangerous opponent, Morales, who is in Manila to promote San Miguel Beer, said he is not the type of fighter who can withstand punishment from a pure puncher like Pacquiao.
“He gives up easily,” said Morales, known as a never-say-die warrior in the ring. “The problem is his fighting spirit.”
But despite his not-so-impressive description of his compatriot, Morales refuses to issue a prediction on what round the fight will end.
“Manny must not take Solis lightly,” said Morales of Solis, unbeaten in 32 fights. “Manny should be in good shape, too.”
Meanwhile, the Mexican legend yesterday said that he is looking forward to his June 16 battle with reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz which will be held in Illinois, California or Texas.
Speaking before a handful of scribes at the 25th floor of the Diamond Hotel, Morales said he will prove his detractors wrong when he vies for an unprecedented fourth world crown.
The people think that I have nothing left,” said Morales, who arrived in the country late Tuesday night. “But I feel good and strong.”
“I can still do it,” he said with conviction, whose interview was facilitated by the Spanish-speaking ABS-CBN sportscaster Dyan Castillejo, who has become a friend of the Tijuana ring terror.
Morales, obviously gained weight since his last outing in Nov. 2006, appeared in a San Miguel commercial that was shot last January alongside Manny Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach.
Morales, wife Andrea and a few friends from Mexico, will stay in the country until April 4, upon the invitation of San Miguel.
“I will report for training in the Otomi mountains on April 5,” said Morales, who engaged the Filipino sensation in three action-packed bouts, winning only the first one before Pacquiao roared back with two knockout victories.
Morales believes he will no longer experience weight problems when he fights Diaz, citing the difficulties he’s had the past few years making the super-featherweight limit of 130 lbs.
“The lightweight division (135 lbs) is going to be perfect for me,” said Morales, who won world titles in the super-bantam, feather and superfeather brackets.
Diaz parades a 32-1-1 win-loss-draw card with 17 knockouts.
Morales, a professional since 1993, sports a 48-5 ledger with 34 knockouts.
