By Jhonny Gonzalez
Former three division champion Erik Morales has replied to the recent comments that where made by WBA/WBO lightweight champion "Dinamita" Juan Manuel Marquez. Golden Boy is trying to make a fight between Marquez and Morales on April 9 in Las Vegas. Marquez remembers when Morales was on top of the world and claims "El Terrible" refused to give him an opportunity. Marquez smiles because the situation is now on the other foot.
"Morales, he had his chance when I wanted it and right now I'm going to see if he deserves a chance. This is the wheel of fortune and he will get a turn on the wheel of fortune. Erik, when he was on top, he would not fight me and right now the situation is the opposite. Let's see the offer," Marquez said.
Morales says Marquez is "living in the past" by always bringing up what happened many years ago when both of them were under the same promoter. He also tells Marquez to let go of his continued obsession for a third fight with Pacquiao. Morales, the last man to beat Pacquiao, by decision in 2005, feels that he's got a bigger claim to a Pacquiao rematch than Marquez.
"To live the past is wrong. If I began to cry and get angry over everything that happened in the past, I am going to be stupid or crazy. The things Juan says is wrong, because I always fought whoever they put in front of me. And also many of the opponents were selected for me by Top Rank. At the end of the day this is more than just a sport, but a business, and [Bob] Arum always secured the opponent who brought the most money," Morales said.
"It's a shame that Marquez is living in the past, and for him to say that he deserves the opportunity against Pacquiao. Regarding that matter, I can tell you that I have more merit [for a rematch], because I had the opportunity, the pleasure, the happiness, and the ability to have my hards raised in a fight with Pacquiao and he did not."
