By Scott Gilfoid: According to the latest news from Boxing Monthly, there is talk that World Boxing Association light welterweight champion Amir Khan (21-1, 15 KO’s) will vacate his WBA title if he’s forced by the WBA to fight interim champion Marcos Maidana (26-1, 25 KO’s). How come I’m not surprised? Apparently, Khan’s trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t want Khan to fight Maidana next, and prefers to go after better (easier) opponents like Erik Morales instead.
Erik Morales
Will Khan fight Erik Morales Next
By Scott Gilfoid: With the potential fight against Ricky Hatton off the table after Ricky quashed those rumors by saying he wasn’t interested, WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (21-1, 15 KO’s) has to find someone for his next opponent. Freddie Roach, Khan’s trainer, mentioned Erik Morales as a potential opponent a couple of weeks ago. Morales, 33, hasn’t fought in two years and has ballooned up in weight since that time. However, he reportedly is interested in making a comeback, so a fight with Khan might be an option.
Freddie Roach wants to see Khan fight Erik Morales
By Liam Santiago: Freddie Roach, trainer of Amir Khan (20-1, 15ko’s), has said that he would like to see Khan fight Erik Morales (48-6, 34ko’s) if he beats Kotelnik this month. This idea brings us back to when the Barrera fight was announced. Many similarities, only Morales is a step down in class from Barrera, having lost five of his last six fights.
Erik Morales vs. Barrera in July?
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.
Erik Morales vs. David Diaz
By Chris Williams: Erik Morales (48-5, 34 KOs) will be challenging WBC light champion David Diaz (32-1-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Allstate Arena, in Chicago. Morales, 30, going into the bout, has lost three consecutive fights, two of which have been brutal knockout losses to Manny Pacquiao. In fact, Morales hasn’t looked good since winning a 12-round decision over Manny Pacquiao in March 2005. It’s unclear what happened since that time, perhaps it’s because of him putting on a great deal of weight after his winning effort against Paquiao.
Whatever the case, Morales has looked over-the-hill in the past two years, something that hasn’t been lost for the boxing public, many of which have been calling for Morales to retire rather than fighting on and receiving further beatings. On Saturday night, Morales is in for yet another test of how much he has left. It’s uncertain, however, whether Diaz, a fighter that is still relatively green, having mostly fought unknown fighters in his career up until wining the WBC interim lightweight title last August, when he stopped Jose Armando Santa Cruz in the 10th round. Diaz, 27, doesn’t have much power to speak of, but has an airtight defense and sound, albeit average power, offensive skills.