Tweet
By Joaquin Henson
LOS ANGELES – The legendary Mexican warrior known as “El Terrible” is ready to take on Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather or anyone who dares to cross his path in a resurrected career that has taken an upturn after a 2 1/2 year layoff.
WBC lightwelterweight champion Erik Morales, 35, said yesterday with his new-found dedication and discipline, he’s confident of rejoining the ranks of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters. Last September, he halted previously unbeaten Pablo Cesar Cano in the 10th round to capture the vacant WBC 140-pound title and in the process, became the first Mexican to win four world crowns in different divisions.
Asked if it’s true that he’s being lined up to face Mayweather in May, Morales said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer spoke to him recently about a possible bout against Pretty Boy. “There was no proposal, no offer,” he said. “All Schaefer wanted to know if I’d be open to fight Mayweather and I told him why not?”
If given the choice to fight Pacquiao or Mayweather, Morales said he prefers the Filipino icon. “I have a lot of respect for Manny but in my heart, I know I’m the better fighter,” he said. “I’m the last fighter to beat him and he stopped me twice only because I had difficulty in making the weight. I had a chance to speak with Manny during the (Jorge) Linares fight in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and asked him about maybe, doing a fourth fight. If it happens, we could do it in November next year. I was also asked if I could fight (Juan Manuel) Marquez before he fought Manny last Saturday. I’m open to it but I really don’t know Marquez’ plans. I heard his family wants him to retire and not pursue a fourth fight against Manny.”
Morales said he plans to stake his WBC throne in Mexico this January then take a trip to Manila to visit his Filipino friends. He is particularly close with Filipino businessman and horse owner Hermie Esguerra. After the January defense, Morales said he’ll study offers to fight whomever possibly on May 5, the Mexican “Cinco de Mayo” holiday.
Morales and his wife Andrea were Esguerra’s guests at ringside for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last Saturday (Sunday morning, Manila).
“I thought Marquez won seven or eight rounds and deserved to win,” said Morales. “I really didn’t know whom to cheer for. Of course, as a Mexican, I wanted Marquez to win. But I also wanted Manny to win because of my Filipino friends and besides, I didn’t want to share the honor of being the only Mexican to beat Manny. It wasn’t the same Manny I know who fought that night. He wasn’t mentally focused. I could sense something was wrong inside. I don’t know if it’s a family problem or whatever. But it was a different Manny who fought Marquez. I predicted Manny would beat Marquez easily. I was surprised by what happened. Manny lacked timing. He came in with 1-2 combinations but couldn’t follow up because he was getting hit. Something was very wrong. In the ring, a fighter is all alone and should think of nothing else but to beat his opponent. If he has a problem that he brings into the ring, it becomes a hindrance. He was relying on his 1-2 punching power but couldn’t bring down Marquez.”
Morales said if Pacquiao has a personal issue to settle, he should do it immediately. “If it’s a family concern, it will take time to fix and a lot of personal attention,” said Morales. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see the same Manny again but it’s all up to him. All I know is Manny’s reputation as an invincible fighter, the best fighter in the world, is no more. Marquez made him look like an ordinary mortal. Manny has to gain back his confidence to knock out opponents but it will come only if he is at peace with himself.”
Morales said after he lost to David Diaz in 2007, depression set in. It was his fourth straight setback and his career was down in the dumps. His weight ballooned to 220 pounds. Slowly, he worked himself back into shape.
“It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice,” said Morales. “I’ve always been prayerful so I prayed to God for strength. I stopped drinking. I ate healthy. I did therapy. I worked out. My wife supported me all the way and I’m grateful to her for staying by my side. Then, I told my father (his trainer Jose) I would make a comeback.
He advised me to stay retired, to spend more time with my family. But I convinced him that I was ready to do it all over again. I did three fights in Mexico in 2010 and agreed to fight Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas. Nobody gave me a chance to beat Maidana. I lost a close majority decision and surprised the experts. Then, the WBC lightwelterweight title became vacant and I won it last September.”
If Mayweather steps up to the plate, Morales said let’s get it on. “In 2000, I was training for a fight in Texas and sparred three or four rounds with Mayweather,” he recalled. “Mayweather’s father Floyd Sr. was my trainer and got me to spar with his son. I had him groggy and reeling but he never went down.”
Morales’ recovery from the depths of his storybook boxing career is an inspiring lesson of courage, said his friend Esguerra. Morales said he will never forget saying “Wala kang katulad, Manny” in a 2006 TV commercial for San Miguel Beer and is thankful to San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang for the opportunity to appear with Pacquiao.
http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscorn...bcategoryid=69
LOS ANGELES – The legendary Mexican warrior known as “El Terrible” is ready to take on Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather or anyone who dares to cross his path in a resurrected career that has taken an upturn after a 2 1/2 year layoff.
WBC lightwelterweight champion Erik Morales, 35, said yesterday with his new-found dedication and discipline, he’s confident of rejoining the ranks of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters. Last September, he halted previously unbeaten Pablo Cesar Cano in the 10th round to capture the vacant WBC 140-pound title and in the process, became the first Mexican to win four world crowns in different divisions.
Asked if it’s true that he’s being lined up to face Mayweather in May, Morales said Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer spoke to him recently about a possible bout against Pretty Boy. “There was no proposal, no offer,” he said. “All Schaefer wanted to know if I’d be open to fight Mayweather and I told him why not?”
If given the choice to fight Pacquiao or Mayweather, Morales said he prefers the Filipino icon. “I have a lot of respect for Manny but in my heart, I know I’m the better fighter,” he said. “I’m the last fighter to beat him and he stopped me twice only because I had difficulty in making the weight. I had a chance to speak with Manny during the (Jorge) Linares fight in Los Angeles a few weeks ago and asked him about maybe, doing a fourth fight. If it happens, we could do it in November next year. I was also asked if I could fight (Juan Manuel) Marquez before he fought Manny last Saturday. I’m open to it but I really don’t know Marquez’ plans. I heard his family wants him to retire and not pursue a fourth fight against Manny.”
Morales said he plans to stake his WBC throne in Mexico this January then take a trip to Manila to visit his Filipino friends. He is particularly close with Filipino businessman and horse owner Hermie Esguerra. After the January defense, Morales said he’ll study offers to fight whomever possibly on May 5, the Mexican “Cinco de Mayo” holiday.
Morales and his wife Andrea were Esguerra’s guests at ringside for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas last Saturday (Sunday morning, Manila).
“I thought Marquez won seven or eight rounds and deserved to win,” said Morales. “I really didn’t know whom to cheer for. Of course, as a Mexican, I wanted Marquez to win. But I also wanted Manny to win because of my Filipino friends and besides, I didn’t want to share the honor of being the only Mexican to beat Manny. It wasn’t the same Manny I know who fought that night. He wasn’t mentally focused. I could sense something was wrong inside. I don’t know if it’s a family problem or whatever. But it was a different Manny who fought Marquez. I predicted Manny would beat Marquez easily. I was surprised by what happened. Manny lacked timing. He came in with 1-2 combinations but couldn’t follow up because he was getting hit. Something was very wrong. In the ring, a fighter is all alone and should think of nothing else but to beat his opponent. If he has a problem that he brings into the ring, it becomes a hindrance. He was relying on his 1-2 punching power but couldn’t bring down Marquez.”
Morales said if Pacquiao has a personal issue to settle, he should do it immediately. “If it’s a family concern, it will take time to fix and a lot of personal attention,” said Morales. “I don’t know if we’ll ever see the same Manny again but it’s all up to him. All I know is Manny’s reputation as an invincible fighter, the best fighter in the world, is no more. Marquez made him look like an ordinary mortal. Manny has to gain back his confidence to knock out opponents but it will come only if he is at peace with himself.”
Morales said after he lost to David Diaz in 2007, depression set in. It was his fourth straight setback and his career was down in the dumps. His weight ballooned to 220 pounds. Slowly, he worked himself back into shape.
“It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice,” said Morales. “I’ve always been prayerful so I prayed to God for strength. I stopped drinking. I ate healthy. I did therapy. I worked out. My wife supported me all the way and I’m grateful to her for staying by my side. Then, I told my father (his trainer Jose) I would make a comeback.
He advised me to stay retired, to spend more time with my family. But I convinced him that I was ready to do it all over again. I did three fights in Mexico in 2010 and agreed to fight Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas. Nobody gave me a chance to beat Maidana. I lost a close majority decision and surprised the experts. Then, the WBC lightwelterweight title became vacant and I won it last September.”
If Mayweather steps up to the plate, Morales said let’s get it on. “In 2000, I was training for a fight in Texas and sparred three or four rounds with Mayweather,” he recalled. “Mayweather’s father Floyd Sr. was my trainer and got me to spar with his son. I had him groggy and reeling but he never went down.”
Morales’ recovery from the depths of his storybook boxing career is an inspiring lesson of courage, said his friend Esguerra. Morales said he will never forget saying “Wala kang katulad, Manny” in a 2006 TV commercial for San Miguel Beer and is thankful to San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang for the opportunity to appear with Pacquiao.
http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscorn...bcategoryid=69
Comment