By Rick Reeno
When BoxingScene.com spoke with trainer Freddie Roach about the upcoming junior welterweight fight between Erik Morales and Marcos Maidana, the subject caused an immediate look of concern. During the last six years, Roach has been up against both fighters. As the trainer of Manny Pacquiao, Roach helped the Filipino star beat Morales two out of three times since 2005. And as the trainer of Amir Khan, Roach worked the corner of the British star last December as he beat Maidana in the 2010 Fight of The Year.
Morales (51-6, 35KOs) retired in August of 2007 after losing a decision to David Diaz. He resurfaced in March of 2010 with a victory over Jose Alfaro. Since the comeback, Morales picked up three wins against opponents who are not even in the same solar system as Maidana (29-2, 27KOs) in terms of danger or ability.
Roach agrees.
"I'm really worried about Morales in that fight. Maidana is a young, strong kid and he could fight. I think he's way too much for Morales to fight in a comeback. He'll get knocked out in that fight, I think. A lot of balls [on Morales], but not real smart," Roach told BoxingScene.com.
If Morales was able to accomplish the impossible, and beat Maidana, Roach believes he would easily earn the right to fight any of the top champions at 140-pounds, and that includes Roach's boxer, Amir Khan.
"That would catapult him to a title shot, for sure," Roach said.
Morales-Maidana takes place on April 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.