Erik Morales cooks up some humble pie

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.

Erik Morales: Rolling back the years?

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.

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.