By William Mackay: Erik Morales (52-8, 36 KO’s) says he prefers to try and get a rematch against WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia (23-0, 14 KO’s) next. Garcia, 24, defeated the 35-year-old Morales by a 12 round unanimous decision last March in a fight where Morales looked out of shape and not really prepared for the fight.

Morales said on his twitter “Given the circumstances, I’m going for the rematch vs. Danny Garcia.”

Morales is said to be negotiating with his promoters at Golden Boy to try and get the rematch against Garcia. One problem that could stand in the way of the fight being made is that Garcia has a mandatory defense due against challenger Ajose Olusegun and he has to take that fight unless he wants to be stripped of his title. The only way Garcia doesn’t get stripped is unless they give Olusegun a step aside fee or if he fights a unification bout against another light welterweight champion. Morales doesn’t have a title, so he’s not going to be able to make any deals for a fight against that will save him his World Boxing Council 140 pound title. It looks like it’ll come down to a step aside payment or Garcia being okay with having his WBC title stripped from him.

This is interesting news, because Morales was said to be looking to get a fight against WBO light welterweight interim champion Juan Manuel Marquez on July 14th at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. However, recently Marquez said he wanted to face another opponent in unbeaten southpaw Mercito Gesta. Perhaps Marquez doesn’t want the Morales fight, and that leaves Morales with the lesser option of facing Garcia.

Amir Khan is also interested in facing Morales and/or Garcia, but he doesn’t have a title that will spare Garcia from getting his belt stripped from him.