I want to acknowledge everyone who came to see this fight. I’m a good fighter. I fight for the people of Tijuana. I think he (Maidana) may have won a close fight but not a clean win. I think that I won the fight because I landed the better punches. (I thought I could beat him) I have dignity and heart. I want a rematch. I thought I won. I’m better than him. I finished the fight with my heart. Viva Mexico!”
Those were the fighting words Erik Morales stated after losing a twelve round majority decision against Marcos Maidana (30-2, 27 KOs) in front of a 7,154 crowd on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Maidana regained the vacant interim WBA title but it wasn’t easy. From the opening bell, Maidana landed an uppercut causing Morales right eye to swell shut. With one eye shut, Morales (51-7, 35 KOs) was able to roar back in the middle rounds, firing combinations that seemed to wobble 
Maidana on several occasions.
Maidana was breathing heavily and kept huffing and puffing thru out the rounds but continued to press forward.
“This was my toughest fight ever,” Maidana said. “But I knew it would be, so I prepared for that. I was expecting a war and that is exactly what happened. I was staying positive and trying to catch him with the counter. Morales is a good fighter and a strong fighter. He can continue his career because he’ll do well. I really did find this [fight] close, but I came out as the winner at the end.”
Maidana earned his highest purse to date taking $500,000, while Morales took $250,000 plus a percentage of pay-per-views. I will be the first to admit I was worried about Erik Morales fighting Maidana but after what I saw I think a rematch will be worth seeing.
I am a bit disappointed with the judges, Jerry Roth and Adalaide Byrd had it 116-112 for Maidana while Dick Houck had it 114-114. Harold Lederman also had it a draw, I too had a draw but either way I am sure everyone will agree with me that it was definitely a fight of the year candidate.
Respect must be earned over time. There are no shortcuts and Erik Morales has earned the highest form of respect from all boxing fans. Morales treated us something special which reminds us why we love this sport.
Erik Morales didn’t run. He came to fight and he fought hard!
It was a great fight better then I expected thats for sure. Morales fought hard and showed he still had something left hopefully if they do it again he can pull something off again and even get the win.
The fight was better than we all expected. Question is, can Morales do it again ? I hope so
how did you guys like this fight?
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