By Dan Ambrose: Former three division world champion Erik Morales (51-6, 35 KO’s) didn’t have to take the risky fight against the powerful number #1 ranked WBA light welterweight contender Marcos Maidana (29-2, 27 KO’s) on April 9th. Morales, 34, could have kept on fighting 2nd tier fighters until he was eventually given a shot against one of the champions like WBC/WBO champ Timothy Bradley or WBA title holder Amir Khan.
But instead of taking the easy route, Morales has decided to take on top contender Marcos Maidana on April 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in an effort to prove himself to boxing fans around the world. The chances of Morales finding any kind of success is remote to say the least. Maidana hits too hard and is younger and a naturally bigger fighter than the slender Morales.
In an article at Ringtv, Oscar De La Hoya, Morales’ promoter with Golden Boy Promotions, said “We know it’s a dangerous fight, but how can you say not to a warrior like Erik Morales? We can’t say ‘We think you’re wrong.’ He knows what he’s getting into. He feels refreshed. He’s in a weight class where he feels comfortable.”
Morales may feel comfortable fighting at light welterweight, which is four divisions above his prime weight of super bantamweight, but the fact of the matter is that Morales hasn’t looked good in his three fights at light welterweight since making his comeback in 2010. Morales is struggling to beat 2nd tier light welterweights. We’re talking fighters that Maidana would chop down with ease, and yet Morales is going life and death with them and receiving questionable victories in at least two of the cases. That’s a bad sign going into the Maidana fight.
Morales said “The people at Golden Boy gave me other names to fight but I wanted someone big, someone to make a fight that fans wanted to see. When I told them I wanted Maidana, they said ‘Are you crazy? He hits too hard, Erik.’ I told them don’t worry. I’m fighting him, not you.”
It’s always like this with fighters that are shot. They don’t know it, and ignore those around them until it’s too late. I expect Morales to take a savage beating by Maidana on April 9th. Hopefully the referee steps in and halts the slaughter before Morales gets beaten up too badly.
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