This weekend legendary fighter Erik Morales would love to be able to place his finger to his lips and silence the mammoth amount of doubters who believe he's out of depth in taking on the ferocious Marcos Maidana for the Interim WBA Light-Welterweight Middleweight Title.
To do that Morales would have to achieve the herculean task of prising the fight away from a rugged bruiser with 27 stoppages from his 29 wins.
Maidana, who so nearly had a wobbly Amir Khan stopped, rarely goes the distance. He likes his fights to end early and he pretty much normally gets his own way.
So where does that leave Erik Morales?
Well, the 34-year-old's story has been well-documented leading up to this contest. A fabulous former Super-Bantamweight, Featherweight and Super-Feathweight genuine elite world champion, the wheels came off when Morales lost four fights back-to-back between 2005 and 2007. He then retired for two and a half years before embarking on three low-key comeback fights.
It isn't necessary to go into the achievements of Morales, who could box beautifully but normally elected to stand toe-to-toe for his adoring fans. If you want contemporary proof of his legacy look at Manny Pacquiao - the last fighter he lost to was Morales in 2005.
That's the past and the common consensus is that spectactors will see the sad sight of Morales, too brave to get out early, being blown away and hurt by a naturally fresher, bigger, stronger, harder puncher.
In the build up to this fight Morales has exuded self-confidence - at least in front of the cameras and when a reporter's notebook or recorder is to hand. He's talked up his chances (not the first boxer to do this, of course) and wants to persuade others of his perceived chances.
Coming into this bout Morales is riding a three-win streak against Jose Alfaro at 147 pounds (a points win), Scotsman Willie Limond at 143 pounds (stoppage) and Franciso Lorenzo at 140 pounds (a points win).
Against a B-grade of opposition - decent, respectable, competant but not great - he's looked ok. That's about it - ok. He's used a nice jab, weighed in with some good body punching and drawn on his sound ring smarts to move in and out. Perhaps inevitably though, he's looked beatable and all three of his previous opposition certainly had their moments.
Stepping up a huge level to take on Maidana, will it be enough?
Let's face it, it would be a remarkable story if Morales pulled it off. He's been to the well and back a fair few times - he confounded critics when he beat Pacquiao in 2005 after looking a little jaded against Marco Antiono Barrera.
Also, in 2007 I felt he did better than expected when stepping up to lightweight and nearly dethroning David Diaz, who was the WBC champion.
I think the Diaz fight, in a strange sort of way, could be the yardstick to measure Morales' chances against Maidana. For while Diaz wasn't a big puncher like Maidana, he had the size advantages to keep on top - even if Morales, skillwise, was and is streets ahead of both come-forward scrappers.
We know Morales is brave and if he has the genuine belief going into this fight, and has trained properly, then the fight may not end as early as some are predicting.
What tactics will Morales employ?
If he elects to keep out of trouble and boxes smartly he might keep out of trouble for a bit. Unfortunately, Maidana is the type of boxer that catches up with you with his chugging engine. Look what happened to genuine light-welterweight Khan, who eventually found it hard to keep off the raw and rugged Argentinian.
Now, if Morales goes wading in and chooses to stand and trade...well, the outcome is likely to be predictable.
I think Maidana goes in and gets Morales out of there within six rounds. I'm sure Morales might have his moments but I don't think there will be a happy ending for this wonderful figher who has had his day.
To do that Morales would have to achieve the herculean task of prising the fight away from a rugged bruiser with 27 stoppages from his 29 wins.
Maidana, who so nearly had a wobbly Amir Khan stopped, rarely goes the distance. He likes his fights to end early and he pretty much normally gets his own way.
So where does that leave Erik Morales?
Well, the 34-year-old's story has been well-documented leading up to this contest. A fabulous former Super-Bantamweight, Featherweight and Super-Feathweight genuine elite world champion, the wheels came off when Morales lost four fights back-to-back between 2005 and 2007. He then retired for two and a half years before embarking on three low-key comeback fights.
It isn't necessary to go into the achievements of Morales, who could box beautifully but normally elected to stand toe-to-toe for his adoring fans. If you want contemporary proof of his legacy look at Manny Pacquiao - the last fighter he lost to was Morales in 2005.
That's the past and the common consensus is that spectactors will see the sad sight of Morales, too brave to get out early, being blown away and hurt by a naturally fresher, bigger, stronger, harder puncher.
In the build up to this fight Morales has exuded self-confidence - at least in front of the cameras and when a reporter's notebook or recorder is to hand. He's talked up his chances (not the first boxer to do this, of course) and wants to persuade others of his perceived chances.
Morales has talked of a game plan: “You have to know, I chose Maidana," he's told reporters.
Coming into this bout Morales is riding a three-win streak against Jose Alfaro at 147 pounds (a points win), Scotsman Willie Limond at 143 pounds (stoppage) and Franciso Lorenzo at 140 pounds (a points win).
Against a B-grade of opposition - decent, respectable, competant but not great - he's looked ok. That's about it - ok. He's used a nice jab, weighed in with some good body punching and drawn on his sound ring smarts to move in and out. Perhaps inevitably though, he's looked beatable and all three of his previous opposition certainly had their moments.
Stepping up a huge level to take on Maidana, will it be enough?
Let's face it, it would be a remarkable story if Morales pulled it off. He's been to the well and back a fair few times - he confounded critics when he beat Pacquiao in 2005 after looking a little jaded against Marco Antiono Barrera.
Also, in 2007 I felt he did better than expected when stepping up to lightweight and nearly dethroning David Diaz, who was the WBC champion.
I think the Diaz fight, in a strange sort of way, could be the yardstick to measure Morales' chances against Maidana. For while Diaz wasn't a big puncher like Maidana, he had the size advantages to keep on top - even if Morales, skillwise, was and is streets ahead of both come-forward scrappers.
We know Morales is brave and if he has the genuine belief going into this fight, and has trained properly, then the fight may not end as early as some are predicting.
What tactics will Morales employ?
If he elects to keep out of trouble and boxes smartly he might keep out of trouble for a bit. Unfortunately, Maidana is the type of boxer that catches up with you with his chugging engine. Look what happened to genuine light-welterweight Khan, who eventually found it hard to keep off the raw and rugged Argentinian.
Now, if Morales goes wading in and chooses to stand and trade...well, the outcome is likely to be predictable.
I think Maidana goes in and gets Morales out of there within six rounds. I'm sure Morales might have his moments but I don't think there will be a happy ending for this wonderful figher who has had his day.
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