Erik Morales: Perez Can't Teach Maidana New Tricks

By Ernesto Castellanos, notifight.com

Erik "El Terrible" Morales is finishing up his training camp for the junior welterweight clash with Argentina's Marcos Maidana at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on April 9. Morales has been training for the last few weeks at the Otomi Ceremonial Center in Mexico. He is very confident of beating Maidana, who is regarded by many as one of the most dangerous punchers in the sport. 

"This will be one of the biggest fights of my career, and with this victory I will go on to become the first Mexican to win four titles in four different weigh divisions. I chose Maidana for a reason. Some people ask me why I picked him, and tell me it's a big mistake to go against a tough puncher like him. I picked him because I've studied him a lot, and I think he has a style that I can beat," Morales said.

Maidana is now being trained by Rudy Perez, who previously trained Morales' career rival, Marco Antonio Barrera. Morales is not worried about Perez. He doesn't consider him a factor in the fight.

"That's no problem. In a few weeks, what could have Rudy taught him? What could have Rudy changed? Maidana is the same fighter that we all know, and it doesn't matter who trained him," Morales said.  "I am convinced that the next day, April 9, I'll wake up from one of my greatest nights."