Corrales by mid-round knockout! He's pretty much a welterweight shunked down to lightweight, To powerful and his skills have come full circle since the Casamayor fight.
Like someone said Morales has usually relied on his power or his length to beat opponents. This is a fight where he's not stronger or longer than his opponent. Could he adjust, maybe. Popo was able to land alot of solid punches on Chico because he has underated handspeed. Popo is stronger than Morales so I don't see Morales either knocking Chico down or even hurting him. The minute EM gets hit the old warrior will come out & he'll want to trade & that would be his biggest mistake.
I know Chicco is way to much bigger than El terible, but I have a thing with underdogs, EM is definetly the underdog here and I will be rooting for him (if there is one underdog that you hope can win against the favorite, EM as an underdog is a good bet)....
I see Morales winning this, If Freitas could tag Corrales the way i seen in the clips, Morales can too, and his shots would be much more accurate and his stamina would be better as well.
Corrales' power is still with him @ 135 while Morales' power stayed @122. Though Morales relied on his improved work rate in winning some fights @130, i dont think he can handle corrales best shot.
COrrales by mid round KO. :cool:
I think Corrales deserves to be the favorite in this fight, but I strongly question your comparison of Erik Morales to Acelino Freitas. They're not at all similar. Freitas was at his best when he was a straight ahead slugger who just wanted to knock his opponent out and didn't care about taking punches. Morales has always been a real warrior, and can't help but make great fights, but he's also a first-rate boxer.
When Freitas switched trainers he began trying to avoid punches by running around like a madman with his ass on fire. That had more to do with his loss to Chico than anything else. When he tries to box, he comes in second against first-rate competition because he's not a first-rate stylist, he's a first rate puncher.
On the other hand, Morales has always been able to brawl and still win every round of his fights by being just slightly more elusive than his opponent and yet not waste energy. And Morales has always had a better jab than Freitas did. And he has a more complete arsenal. The left hook, the right hand, the uppercut, it's all there. He doesn't punch as big, but he can be more creative. The difference between Morales' smooth boxing-fighting and Freitas' insane jitterbug is tremendous, and would be a significant factor in determining the outcome of a Morales-Corrales matchup.
Like I said though, Corrales definitely has earned his right to be the favorite.
I agree with almost everything you said dempsey. I was trying to make a point...Morales' tendency to brawl, that's just the perfect excuse for him to lose. Styles makes fights. EM has 1st rate underrated boxing skills, but, either way...still, Corrales gets him.
Morales vs. Corrales
Morales hasn't TKO'd any legit 130lber yet, don't say Espadas please. Morales has good boxing skills but he throws them out of the window each time he fights and just brawls. Can't do that against Chicco...no, no. Freitas tried to box and moved a lot, he got tired...and when he slowed down a bit, he got beat up. I don't think Morales will carry his power at 135, well, not even now at 130.
Corrales by middle rounds TKO.
I think Corrales deserves to be the favorite in this fight, but I strongly question your comparison of Erik Morales to Acelino Freitas. They're not at all similar. Freitas was at his best when he was a straight ahead slugger who just wanted to knock his opponent out and didn't care about taking punches. Morales has always been a real warrior, and can't help but make great fights, but he's also a first-rate boxer.
When Freitas switched trainers he began trying to avoid punches by running around like a madman with his ass on fire. That had more to do with his loss to Chico than anything else. When he tries to box, he comes in second against first-rate competition because he's not a first-rate stylist, he's a first rate puncher.
On the other hand, Morales has always been able to brawl and still win every round of his fights by being just slightly more elusive than his opponent and yet not waste energy. And Morales has always had a better jab than Freitas did. And he has a more complete arsenal. The left hook, the right hand, the uppercut, it's all there. He doesn't punch as big, but he can be more creative. The difference between Morales' smooth boxing-fighting and Freitas' insane jitterbug is tremendous, and would be a significant factor in determining the outcome of a Morales-Corrales matchup.
Like I said though, Corrales definitely has earned his right to be the favorite.
Morales vs. Corrales
Morales hasn't TKO'd any legit 130lber yet, don't say Espadas please. Morales has good boxing skills but he throws them out of the window each time he fights and just brawls. Can't do that against Chicco...no, no. Freitas tried to box and moved a lot, he got tired...and when he slowed down a bit, he got beat up. I don't think Morales will carry his power at 135, well, not even now at 130.
Corrales by middle rounds TKO.
Morales UD, Id say they trade knockdowns
yup
i think just like frietas did the first couple rounds
morales would box him some rounds in the bank
and then stand and fight and trade when he wants
I can see Morales winning this fight if he ever decides to pocket his machismo and box. He likes to go to war and Chico would bust him up late if he decided to go to war. However, Morales' boxing skills are very underrated and his jab is becoming a much better weapon for him. I could see Morales winning by UD if he stayed sharp the whole fight.
You gotta be a pinpoint stylist to get to Corrales (Floyd, casa).
Erik isn't one, even though he is a good boxer & fairly accurate.
I see Morales going for it a little too much, & as good as his chin has been....he will not stand up to Corrales' best. No way.
Corrales, punch for punch, is the hardest hitter in the sport.
Corrales in 8.
I agree completely!!! Morales gets hit way too much by lesser opposition. Chico would crush his chin by late round tko.
Chico would hurt Morales and JL Castillo would hurt both of them.
MORALES VS> CHICO. CHICO by 7th round KO
CHICO VS. CASTILLO thats a TOSS UP on PAPER.
HARD To PICK but Im a CORALES FAN so Chico by 10th rd tko.
My Fearless forecast.