Erik Morales: I Have No Problem Facing Marquez on 7/14

By Alfredo Jaime Gomez, notifight.com

On Saturday night in Houston, Texas, WBC junior welterweight champion Erik Morales (52-7, 36KOs) will defend his title against unbeaten Danny Garcia (22-0, 14KOs). If Morales is able to overcome the 24-year-old Garcia, the four division champion is certainly interested in facing Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez on July 14th in Cowboys Stadium.

Marquez (53-6, 39KOs) faces Sergiy Fedchenko for the WBO's interim 140-pound title on April 14th in Mexico City. If Marquez wins, there is talk that he could face Brandon Rios, who takes on Richard Abril on the same date, on July 14. However, there are rumors in Mexico that Morales is another fighter being considered to face Marquez on the big July show.

Morales is very interested in the fight, but doesn't believe Marquez, or his co-promoter Fernando Beltran, will make it happen.

"First, I have to be 100% to defeat Danny [Garcia]. For me, [to fight Marquez in July] there is no problem. It's an interesting [fight]. He's with Top Rank and although I have a good relationship with [Top Rank CEO] Bob Arum, I don't believe Marquez [would fight] me and I don't believe that Fernando Beltrán would [allow him to fight] me," Morales said.

If Morales retains the title, and walks away without injury, he expects to return in the month of June.

"I have proposals [to fight in] Guanajuato, Cancún and Mexicali," Morales said.