By Chris Robinson
The April 9th Juan Manuel Marquez-Erik Morales junior welterweight clash has fallen apart. The bout was thought to be a lock just days ago but Marquez failed to push through with the fight, claiming that he is now eyeing other options at the moment, according to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. The story was first reported by RingTV's Michael Rosenthal.
Morales has seemed to take the news rather well and has already set his eyes on another equally dangerous challenge at 140 pounds.
"The one guy Morales wants, he’s begging us for him, is Marcos Maidana," Schaefer claimed. "The WBA is going to elevate Amir Khan to ‘Super Champion'. [Morales-Maidana] would be for the WBA title."
Maidana is a devastating puncher, as evidenced by his 29-2 record with 27 stoppages. The Argentinean is coming off of heartbreaking loss to Amir Khan this past December at the Mandalay Bay, a fight in which he was floored in the first round before rising to work his way back into the fight and finishing like a madman down the stretch.
A Maidana-Morales match would be a steep challenge for Erik but also one that is sure to generate fireworks. Upon hearing the news of Morales' wishes I decided to get in touch with Maidana's chief trainer Miguel Diaz, who is equally interested in the fight coming to fruition.
"I like it," said Diaz. "I would take that fight in a moment. I think Maidana would be too much [for him]. I think so."
Diaz knows Morales very well and was an intricate part of his corner during Morales' prime, including his wars with Marco Antonio Barrera and his trilogy with Manny Pacquiao. Diaz hasn't spoke to Erik in over three years, ever since his August 2007 loss to David Diaz in Chicago, and insists that his emotions wouldn't be attached to the fight in any way.
"Boxing is business. I said that a long time ago. They are looking for the fight. If Golden Boy wants to do it and Marcos wants to do it, let's go."
Diaz noted that he hadn't talked with Maidana or his advisor Sebastian Contursi about the fight but says he plans to speak with them sometime on Tuesday.
Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. An archive of his work can be found here , and he can be reached at Trimond@aol.com
