by David P. Greisman
Sam Garcia (Morales): “This is a tough one. You have the young, a little bit raw, big puncher in Danny Garcia, and then you have the well-schooled, obviously crafty veteran. I’m kind of torn. I think Erik Morales in a very close and tough decision. I think he pulls it out, somewhat similar to a Maidana fight, except I think he gets the nod in this one.”
Ronnie Shields (Garcia): “I like Danny Garcia. Some people may call it an upset, only because of Morales, because of his name. I’ve been watching Danny Garcia for a while now. This kid, he shows me a lot. He comes to fight, and I think he’s going to put the pressure on Morales. I don’t know how strong Morales is going to be after all these years. Morales is usually fighting at lightweight. He went up and won the title at 140, but he’s a lightweight.
“Garcia is a full-blown junior welterweight, so I just think Danny is stronger and he’s going to apply that pressure that he’s supposed to do. I just don’t see Morales out-boxing this kid. I see Garcia by a late stoppage.”
Buddy McGirt (Morales): “That depends on how much Morales has left. If he has anything left, he should beat him just with experience alone. If Morales has anything left, he wins. Morales can fight. Is he has any legs left or chin left, I think he has too much experience for Garcia. I see a late-rounds stoppage.”
Henry Ramirez (Morales): “This is an interesting fight, also because I have Josesito Lopez in camp with Danny Garcia. Garcia is a young, talented fighter, still maturing, and you got Erik Morales who’s getting old, he’s been through a lot of wars and has kind of resurrected his career again after a layoff of a couple years. It’s going to be a tough fight. I think it’s going to be a matter of what Erik Morales has left, how much of a fight can he bring to Danny Garcia.
“Garcia’s obviously probably quicker, a little more technically sound, but Morales is more battle tested and older, been through the wars. That being said, I think I’m going to go with Erik Morales. Just the edge in experience, the experience factor, but I’m really on the fence with this one, to be honest. I don’t think either guy will knock either one out. However it ends, I don’t see it being a KO. I think it’ll be a good, close fight. Both will definitely have their moments.”
Eddie Mustafa Muhammad (Garcia): “That’s a good fight. It all depends on how much wear and tear is on Erik Morales. You got to think of those fights he had with Pacquiao. Those type of fights will ruin you. Those are the type of fights like fighting Tito Trinidad, you put your career on the line. He’s ruined so many guys’ careers. That’s how it is.
“Erik is a great fighter and the whole nine yards, I just don’t see him beating that young kid, young, strong, and he hasn’t been in a lot of wars like Erik did. Erik is a credit to the game, but this is a young man’s sport. Erik has probably bit off more than he can chew on this one. I’m not going to pick a knockout for the other guy, but I think he may just beat up Erik. Erik may grow old in one night.”
David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter at twitter.com/fightingwords2 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fightingwordsboxing, or send questions and comments to fightingwords1@gmail.com
