Maidana vs. Morales: Erik says “I know my hand will be raised as the winner”

By Boxing News - 02/22/2011 - Comments

Image: Maidana vs. Morales: Erik says "I know my hand will be raised as the winner"By Dan Ambrose: Former three division world champion Erik Morales (51-6, 35 KO’s) is hoping to revive his once great career by beating Argentinian knockout artist Marcos Maidana 29-2, 27 KO’s) on April 9th to capture the WBC Silver light welterweight title at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Maidana, 27, is seven years younger than the 34-year-old Morales, one inch taller at 5’9″, but a much bigger puncher.

Morales was a good puncher in his prime while fighting as a super bantamweight and featherweight, but since moving up to light welterweight, Morales’ power is completely gone. Now he’s a fighter that has to get his wins by decision. He still fights like a slugger but he doesn’t have the punching power to fight his game any longer.

Maidana looks to be set to win this fight by knockout unless Morales is able to stay out of range of Maidana’s big shots. It’s hard to imagine Morales dancing around the ring for 12 rounds like Maidana’s last opponent WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan. Morales is carrying around extra weight on his frame, and it’s caused him to lose a lot of the speed he once had. He never was muscular, but the extra muscle and fat that he’s put on during his three-year retirement has slowed him down dramatically. To beat Maidana, Morales is going to have to get his bicycle and try to avoid Maidana’s shots because he can’t take punishment form the Argentinian for 12 rounds without getting beaten up and stopped.

Morales says “I know my hand will be raised as the winner.” Morales is kidding himself here, because he hasn’t fought anyone nearly as good as Maidana during his comeback and has struggled badly to beat the three opponents he’s fought since coming back last year.



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