By Salvador Rodriguez
Former four division world champion Erik "Terrible" Morales (52-9, 36KOs) is planning to return in the month of March and says a deal to face Jorge Paez Jr. (37-4-1, 22KOs) is almost wrapped up but no contracts have been signed. Morales, inactive since a KO loss to Danny Garcia in October 2012, wants to retire in 2014 with two fights.
"We're well advanced in negotiations [for Paez]. I have not signed anything nor is it a [done deal], but it would, for example be at welterweight. [Paez] is young, strong, fast," Morales said.
If he wins, Morales would like to have a fight in the second half of the year against former champion Brandon Rios.
"I want to go out with a big fight, but first I want to prove that I can go into that big fight. First I want to beat Páez before I even start thinking about that fight, because [if I don't win against Paez], then the other [fight] won't exist," Morales said.