Sometimes it seems easy to call a boxing match-up.
Evidence should suggest that the wear and tear consumed over a long career at the summit spent sparring thousands of rounds, blowing up and down in weight and frequently fighting in the trenches for the fans should eventually spell the end of a career for good - and sooner rather than later.
That rule was supposed to apply to Erik Morales who took on the frightening puncher Marcos Maidana at the weekend.
Here were the facts going in: Morales was 34 years of age, he'd had 57 fights (a large proportion of which were bruising encounters) after starting at super-bantamweight. In 2007 he's retired for two and a half years after four back-to-back losses (including two knockouts). Further, he was fighting a prime fighter with 27 knockouts from 29 wins.
Yet, Morales proceeded to rip up the form guide and shove it down the mouths of all those, including myself, who dared question whether it was safe for him to be in the ring against Maidana - let alone last the distance and be in with a shout of winning.
Here's to humble pie.
Now, Morales may not have actually won but he took the contest to the wire. The judges' scoring only told one story - 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114 to Maidana. The fans were on Morales' side though and heartily cheered his name afterwards.
I was compelled to think of another legendary Hispanic fighter, Roberto Duran, who so often had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. His closely-fought loss to Marvin Hagler (of which Maidana bears no comparison of course) springs to mind.
We're all talking about Morales - and he wasn't even the victor!
Consider this: Morales was rocked about in the first round and had one eye grotesquely closed shut and swollen. That he fought back and had some observers claiming he should have got the nod demonstrates so much about the man's bravery and let's not forget his skill.
Let's also not forget Maidana's part in proceedings. He too was brave and dug down to get the decision. Interestingly, he seemed more troubled by Morales' shots than the Mexican was of his. Afterwards he appeared gracious in victory and said Morales would get a rematch.
A fight for the ages with a wonderful story. Was it Morales' last hurrah? I've learned my lesson and would certainly not make any predictions on that score!
In a less satisfying encounter at the weekend former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion Vivian Harris was stopped after one round after taking on unbeaten welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas.
After being wobbled Harris told the referee he could not continue. It was a sad sight but at least Harris saved himself from further punishment.
Vivian Harris is a worry. He's been stopped in his past three fights and four fights ago a no contest was ruled after a head clash meant Harris was unable to continue.
He's not won since 2008. Harris should be saved from the sport - either he retires for his health or if he insists on continuing it must be at a lower level in Guyana, perhaps at a higher weight.
Evidence should suggest that the wear and tear consumed over a long career at the summit spent sparring thousands of rounds, blowing up and down in weight and frequently fighting in the trenches for the fans should eventually spell the end of a career for good - and sooner rather than later.
That rule was supposed to apply to Erik Morales who took on the frightening puncher Marcos Maidana at the weekend.
Here were the facts going in: Morales was 34 years of age, he'd had 57 fights (a large proportion of which were bruising encounters) after starting at super-bantamweight. In 2007 he's retired for two and a half years after four back-to-back losses (including two knockouts). Further, he was fighting a prime fighter with 27 knockouts from 29 wins.
Yet, Morales proceeded to rip up the form guide and shove it down the mouths of all those, including myself, who dared question whether it was safe for him to be in the ring against Maidana - let alone last the distance and be in with a shout of winning.
Here's to humble pie.
Now, Morales may not have actually won but he took the contest to the wire. The judges' scoring only told one story - 116-112, 116-112 and 114-114 to Maidana. The fans were on Morales' side though and heartily cheered his name afterwards.
I was compelled to think of another legendary Hispanic fighter, Roberto Duran, who so often had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. His closely-fought loss to Marvin Hagler (of which Maidana bears no comparison of course) springs to mind.
We're all talking about Morales - and he wasn't even the victor!
Consider this: Morales was rocked about in the first round and had one eye grotesquely closed shut and swollen. That he fought back and had some observers claiming he should have got the nod demonstrates so much about the man's bravery and let's not forget his skill.
Let's also not forget Maidana's part in proceedings. He too was brave and dug down to get the decision. Interestingly, he seemed more troubled by Morales' shots than the Mexican was of his. Afterwards he appeared gracious in victory and said Morales would get a rematch.
A fight for the ages with a wonderful story. Was it Morales' last hurrah? I've learned my lesson and would certainly not make any predictions on that score!
In a less satisfying encounter at the weekend former WBA Light-Welterweight Champion Vivian Harris was stopped after one round after taking on unbeaten welterweight prospect Jessie Vargas.
After being wobbled Harris told the referee he could not continue. It was a sad sight but at least Harris saved himself from further punishment.
Vivian Harris is a worry. He's been stopped in his past three fights and four fights ago a no contest was ruled after a head clash meant Harris was unable to continue.
He's not won since 2008. Harris should be saved from the sport - either he retires for his health or if he insists on continuing it must be at a lower level in Guyana, perhaps at a higher weight.
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