Just as it was predicted in a past In the Squared Circle (click here to read) current WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez more than likely will face three divisional champion Erik “Terrible” Morales of Tijuana, MX, in the fall according to Esto.com.mx.
Marquez’s manager Nacho Beristain felt compelled to squash the rumors coming out of Venezuela that said newly crowned WBC lightweight champion Edwin Valero was the next opponent for Marquez. Beristain stated that Marquez would reappear in September and that his next opponent will be Morales.
Beristain explained that Marquez is not interested in Valero since the Venezuelan is not in the plans of his promoter, Golden Boy Promotions.
According to Beristain, Juan Manuel is ready to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. but the negotiations for that bout have hit a stalemate because Mayweather was asking for Marquez to go up to welterweight which would be impossible for the Mexico City fighter. Juan Manuel was willing to go up to the junior welterweight limit of 140 lbs. but not more.
Since both parties can not come to terms, Marquez’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya has another option: to face Erik Morales, one of the biggest ticket sellers in recent years.
That’s crazy Felipe. Not only did Morales not look good against Pac-man or David Diaz in his last two fights, but he’s been retired for an extended period of time. When Morales was still an active fighter, he dropped two fights (one by TKO, another by KO) to Manny and lost an unanimous decision to David Diaz. I don’t think retirement made him that much better, and the inactivity coupled with his obvious decline in ability will not help him against Marquez. Juan Manuel Marquez is the guy that many people believe defeated Pac-man twice in the last couple years and who we recently seen dismantle a game, young fighter in Juan Diaz. To me, that means he is at the top of his game, while “El Terrible” is considerably past his prime. Although I miss him and enjoyed his battles with Barrera and exulted in his first victory over Manny, I do not want to see a great warrior like Morales come back and tarnish his legacy as one of Mexico’s best champions by being demolished by one of the best, active fighters in the sport right now.
I agree with you Daniel. The reason why I correctly predicted so early on that this fight would happen is because of the money factor. Morales is one of the most ticket selling fighters in the last ten years plus despite being a 122-130 pounder, he has carried PPV cards on his own. I think Golden Boy Promotions is interested in putting JM Marquez against Morales because it is a win-win situation for their fighter. Not only can he beat Morales easily, but will do it in September, Mexican Independence month which will serve as Morales passing on the baton as the toughest hombre out there and at the same time raising Marquez’s profile a bit more so that he can go after a third fight against Pacquiao on more even terms or make a mega fight against Hatton, Mayweather Jr. or Valero.
I understand it’s about the money, but it isn’t right. Morales could get seriously hurt. At one time he was one of the best. Didn’t he see what happened to Barrera against Amir Khan? In his prime, Barrera would’ve probably destroyed Khan just like he did to Prince Naseem Hamed, but since he’s so faded the younger fighter was able to steal a victory and pad his record. The fight Morales had with Diaz didn’t turn out that bad because David Diaz is an average fighter. If you let a master technician like Juan Manuel Marquez fight an old Morales, I think you’re putting the old fighter’s life in jeopardy. No amount of money should be worth that and I seriously hope Golden Boy doesn’t do that to Eric.
Morales beat Pacquiao. He did better than I thought he would against David Diaz. He needs two tune up fights before he is given any type of a title fight. This is for his own good. Ring rust is a mutha fucker. Also keep in in mind that Marquez is older than Morales. I’m not going to predict a winner since Marquez needs to get past his fight with Mayweather. I think it would be an interesting fight and not an all out ass wuppin by Marquez.