By Manuel Perez: Erik Morales (48-6, 34 KOs) is looking to get back in the ring in July, possibly against Marco Antonio Barrera (65-6, 43 KOs) or Juan Manuel Marquez. Only 33, Morales hasn’t seen action since losing a close 12-round unanimous decision in August 2007 to David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title. Many people at the time felt that Morales had done more than enough to get the victory. However, he was denied his victory and as of now, he’s lost his last four fights against Zahir Raheem, Manny Pacquiao (twice) and Diaz.
A fight against Barrera, who Morales has fought three times already, winning one and losing the last two, would be an exciting fight even though both fighters are past their prime somewhat. Even though they’re best days are behind them by five to seven years, the matchup would seem to be more appealing than some of the dull, imaginative fights that are taking place nowadays, starting with tonight’s fight with Miguel Cotto against Michael Jennings.
Morales and Barrera are a much more appealing fight than that one no matter how slowed Barrera and Morales are. Actually, both fighters looked excellent in their last fights and showed that they have a lot left. For obvious reasons, Morales would probably stand a better chance against Barrera than Marquez, so that should be the fight that Morales goes after if he has a choice.
Morales may not have the option of facing Barrera should Marco defeat Amir Khan in their March 14th bout. In that case, Morales will have to go after Marquez, who might be a little more open to a fight with Morales due to the nice payday that Marquez would be getting out of the fight.
Morales would be looking to fight at lightweight again, the same weight that he fought at in his last fight. He would have to take off some weight before taking the fight and judging from photos of his, he may have to take off quite a bit of weight.
Increasingly as he got older, Morales found it harder and harder to make weights first in the super bantamweight division, then at featherweight and following that super featherweight. Hopefully, he can make lightweight without having to starve himself like he did in his last two fights against Pacquaio (both losses) in 2006.
I think a fight against either Barrera or Marquez is a great idea, because Morales is an exciting fighter and always gives it his best shot. With some of the poor matchups that have been taking place in the past year with dull fights, Morales would be breath of fresh air for the boxing world. Never mind people who say that Morales is washed up, he never has a dull fight and will be pushing Barrera or Marquez constantly until he defeats them.
It’s unclear whether this comeback will be for just one fight or if it will last longer against multiple opponents. However, it would be great if he stuck around long enough to fight someone like Oscar De La Hoya.
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