By Miguel Rivera

According to former champion Erik Morales, Mexicali's Jorge "Maromerito" Páez will get a crack at the interim-welterweight title of the World Boxing Association on May 15th.

Morales, who retired from active fighting last year, is the current manager/co-trainer of Paez and says his fighter will challenge undefeated Jose Benavidez Jr. for the title in the United States.

The Mexican legend says his fighter is preparing intensively in Tijuana, under the supervision of coaches Fernando Fernandez and Alberto López.

Morales says Paez Jr. (38-5-2, 23 KOs) will "conquer the first world title of his career and he's preparing one hundred percent to be crowned champion."

"Maromerito" will arrive motivated, because after a defeat and a draw last year, he started off 2015 on the right foot, with a ring return on February 21 where he knocked out Colombian Ronald Mountains in the fourth round in Chiapas.

Benavidez (22-0, 15 KO's) would be making the first defense of the title he won last December by way of a controversial decision over Mauricio Herrera.