This Saturday, April 09, 2011, one of my all time favorite fighters will once again step in the ring but this time instead of being happy, I am a bit worried. Worried because he is not the same fighter he once was. The Erik Morales I knew was in his prime and was the last fighter to ever beat today’s pound for pound fighter of the world, Manny Pacquiao.
Morales will be taking on hard-hitting Marcos Maidana who carries a ledger of 29 wins with 27 knockouts. Though Maidana lost by decision in his last fight against Amir Khan you can’t call him a loser because he is not. Anyone who saw the fight will agree.
During interviews Morales has stated he personally hand picked the bigger Maidana and he too understands the risk he’s taking.
“After so many interviews, I had to question myself whether this was the right decision,” Morales told the press. “Am I the only crazy one, the only one who thinks I’m going to win? But when I’m alone at night, lying in bed, I know, I’m not wrong. I didn’t make a mistake in picking Maidana – and I’m gonna prove it on Saturday night.”
Win or lose, I will respect Morales even more for not cherry picking his opponents like many upcoming fighters. Morales at 34 years old has a dream to one day be the first Mexican to win four titles in four-weight divisions. Though the World Boxing Association has chosen in its infinite wisdom to sanction the bout for its interim super lightweight belt, it won’t count but it will be one step closer for Morales to accomplish his goal.
The future Hall of Famer has won three fights since returning from a 2½-year layoff but is that enough to beat Maidana who is currently in his prime? I don’t know but if he is able to pull an upset eventually he will fight Amir Khan.
Call it suicide or a mismatch but either way it’s intriguing to watch.
I will be watching and rooting for Morales, he’s always been on of my favorite fighters. I hope he can some how pull this thing off and walk away from this battle with his hand raised and an “I told you so” look on his face. I hope more than anything win or lose he leaves this fight in good condition and not seriously injured. I have even more respect for him now for having the guts to face Maidana, win or lose he’s earned everybody’s respect by believing in himself enough to fight someone as dangerous as Maidana and will always be one of the greats in my book.
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