By Jhonny Gonzalez

Former three division champion Érik "El Terrible" Morales (51-7, 35 KOs) doesn't consider Saturday's result against Marcos Maidana (30-2, 27 KOs) as a loss. As the fight approached, even his own countrymen counted him out but he fought Maidana on equal terms for twelve rounds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and lost a close majority decision with the judges.

Maidana, a hard-hitting junior welterweight, was requested by Morales after a planned fight with Juan Manuel Marquez fell apart. Morales saw something in Maidana that made him very vulnerable.

"I told you, I was better than this guy. I clearly won the fight. It was close, but I did the better work and I landed the better punches. If they want a rematch, all they have to do is ask. I fought with a lot of heart for my country of Mexico and gave them what they wanted," Morales said.