The question must be asked because inquiring minds want to know. Did some furtive operative in the Phillipines put a foreign substance in Erik Morales’ frosty San Miguel beer? Some operator, perhaps in clever disguise, must have because the usually gentlemanly ex-champion has made an incredibly offensive public proclamation.
Poison in his pilsner.
That’s about the only explanation I can think of for Morales issuing the ultimate insult–aside from hijo de puta and other such familial taunts–to his fellow boxer and Mexcian, Jorge Solis. Morales has come out publicly, while meeting with the crem de la creme of the Filipino sporting press (except for Boxingconfidential Ace Reporter Salven Lagumbay, of course), and tagged the 27-year-old from Guadalajara as a “quitter.”
Last time I checked in Morales’ haunts in Tijuana, such a label is like waving a red flag at an ornery bull. Better to make an obscene reference to a Mexican warrior’s maternal unit than to say that a prizefighter from South of the Border has no “eggs” in the ring. In Mexico, when they say a man has big pants they’re not talking about his waist size, you dig?
I am sure that Solis, 27, a former Morales sparmate and the April 14 San Antonion “Blaze Of Glory” opponent for Pinoy idol Manny Pacquaio, will be furious when he learns of this affrontery, this blasphemy, this sporting sacrilege! I’m even getting worked up just writing about this slanderous remark.
“Solis is good and strong,” said Morales, speaking at a fancy Manila hotel Friday afternoon. Morales is currently in Manila to help promote San Miguel Beer and he is expected to remain in the Philippines until next week. But this was only Erik’s opening jab, a compliment to throw everyone’s timing off.
So that must mean, Senor Morales, that Solis is a very real threat to Pacman?
Here comes the verbal low blow.
“He gives up easily,” Morales said. “The problem is his fighting spirit.”
Take a five-minute rest, Senor Solis. You didn’t see that one coming. Imagine that, a 32-0 fighter with no guts.
Morales did throw in some soft soap, though, saying “Manny must not take Solis lightly.” He added that Manny needed to be in top physical condition but the damage to Solis’ reputation was done.
Morales, 35, will challenge WBC lightweight champ David Diaz on June 16.
If I am Erik, I’d stay away from Guadalajara for a while because, as Desi Arnaz used to tell Lucy, you got explaining to do!
