By James Blears
Four division world champion Erik Morales is pledging to beat Danny Garcia when they meet in a rematch at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on October 20th.
In the build up to their first fight, which took place in March down at the Reliant Arena in Texas, simply nothing was going Erik’s way. The fight which was originally scheduled for the end of January, had to be postponed because Morales had to undergo gall bladder surgery. With just five weeks to prepare, Erik lost his WBC super lightweight title on the scale after being unable to make weight - an unusual, uncharacteristic, but understandable first ever lapse, in his long career.
Erik, who turns 36-years-old this Saturday, now has double the time to get ready, and he’s relishing regaining the title. At the WBC offices in Mexico City’s Zona Rosa he explained: “It’s going to be a difficult fight, but I have motivation, and it’s more than just money. I’m going work and do everything to enable me to lift my hand in victory. It’s a motivation!
“I’ve got enough time to prepare and to be in top shape, with better speed and strength. I can achieve a better level than in the last fight. While Danny is the same fighter. Technically he hasn’t changed and he hasn’t improved. He’s not a very fast boxer.”
Erik also revealed that Danny has a bad habit. Like Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera, he sometimes closes his eyes when throwing a punch. Erik drew gales of laughter with a wink and a nod….as he imitated the move, saying that he himself preferred to keep his peepers well and truly wide open, for optimum hand-eye coordination.
It’ll be the first time Erik fights in the Big Apple.
