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By Rick Reeno - Erik Morales (48-5, 34 KOs), loser of his last three bouts, moves up to 135-pounds to challenge WBC lightweight champion David Diaz (32-1-1, 17 KOs) at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. Morales wants to make history before retirement by becoming the first Mexican fighter to win four world titles in four seperate weight divisions. Morales has won world titles at 122, 126 and 130-pounds.
"Erik is out to grab some history," said promoter Bob Arum, CEO and founder of Top Rank. "He is already one of the all-time greats. If he can win this title it would be a fitting conclusion to what has already been a Hall of Fame career, but it won't be easy. Diaz is no walk in the park and Morales needs to be at the top of his game for this fight."
Morales is 18-2 in world title fights, but he was also knocked out in his last two appearances in the ring. He attributes the pair of Pacquiao losses on the amount of stress he put on his body in order to make 130-pounds. Prior to those losses, he made his debut at 135 and was easily beaten over twelve by the quicker Zahir Raheem.
Arum is right, Diaz is no walk in the park. He was a very good amateur and a 1996 U.S. Olympian. As a pro, his record has a single blemish, a lone knockout loss to hard punching junior welterweight Kendall Holt. Morales is a lot smaller, and lacks the big punch of a guy like Holt. [details]
"Erik is out to grab some history," said promoter Bob Arum, CEO and founder of Top Rank. "He is already one of the all-time greats. If he can win this title it would be a fitting conclusion to what has already been a Hall of Fame career, but it won't be easy. Diaz is no walk in the park and Morales needs to be at the top of his game for this fight."
Morales is 18-2 in world title fights, but he was also knocked out in his last two appearances in the ring. He attributes the pair of Pacquiao losses on the amount of stress he put on his body in order to make 130-pounds. Prior to those losses, he made his debut at 135 and was easily beaten over twelve by the quicker Zahir Raheem.
Arum is right, Diaz is no walk in the park. He was a very good amateur and a 1996 U.S. Olympian. As a pro, his record has a single blemish, a lone knockout loss to hard punching junior welterweight Kendall Holt. Morales is a lot smaller, and lacks the big punch of a guy like Holt. [details]
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