ERIK MORALES
updated August 07, 2007
At the age of 30, Erik has been successful at the highest levels of competition for almost a decade, and universally recognized as one of the best boxers in the world at any weight, "pound-for-pound." He has also been one of the most exciting, and fought in several of the most sensational battles of recent years.
The former WBC super bantamweight, two-time featherweight, and super featherweight world champion, Erik became only the second fighter from Mexico to win world titles in three weight divisions -- Julio Cesar Chavez was the first. Like Chavez, Erik is a certain future Hall of Famer.
He is also one of the very few fighters to have two epic trilogies in his career. Erik is coming off his third fight against former two-time world champion Manny Pacquiao, and he had a spectacular three-fight series with five-time world champion Marco Antonio Barrera, as well.
Erik was stopped in the third round against Pacquiao in his last fight on November 18, and showed the same championship qualities outside of the ring that he has shown for so many years in the ring. After the fight, Erik said, "I did my best. I did the mental training, I did the physical training. He was just too much.
Pacquiao was just the best. There are times to know when you're beaten, and I was a beaten man tonight. I've had a long and illustratious career. I've done it all. It was always a pleasure on my part to thrill the crowd with great fights."
Erik gave a sensational performance in his first fight against Pacquiao on March 19, 2005, and won by 12-round decision. After the fight, Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press reported from ringside, "Morales, fighting with the cool precision of a champion who has been there many times before, got the better of Pacquiao with jabs and big right hands...they didn't disappoint, going after each other from the opening bell in a fight that grew in intensity...the two fighters went toe-to-toe in a frenetic 12th round that had the crowd standing and cheering."...
Steve Kim of Maxboxing.com reported, "People always talk of reforming and revitalizing the sport of boxing. The answer to saving this sport is very simple: more fighters like Morales and Pacquiao, and fights like the one that took place on Saturday night. There's no doubt about it, this Tijuana bred boxer is the single toughest, roughest man in boxing."
Doug Fischer of Maxboxing.com wrote, "Morales...with arguably the biggest win of his career, was born to fight."
At the post-fight press conference, Erik said, "It was a great pleasure to fight this way.
I think I was controlling the fight with my distance. Sometimes I need to put a little flavor into the ring. My promoter always says that I make the fights very difficult, but they're not difficult, they're fun for the public. I decided to stop myself in front of him in the twelfth round because I wanted to give the public what they deserve. It was a great round. I'm very happy about it."
A pro since the age of 16, Erik has given impressive performances at the highest levels of competition and scored several spectacular wins. He has defeated current or former world champions Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espadas twice, Paulie Ayala, Injin Chi, Kevin Kelley, Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Jose Luis Bueno, Daniel Zaragoza, and Hector Acero-Sanchez.
A pro since the age of 16, Erik has given impressive performances at the highest levels of competition and scored several spectacular wins.
On March 19, Erik scored a sensational 12-round decision against former two-time world champion Manny Pacquiao on March 19. After the fight, Tim Dahlberg of the Associated Press reported from ringside, "Morales, fighting with the cool precision of a champion who has been there many times before, got the better of Pacquiao with jabs and big right hands...they didn't disappoint, going after each other from the opening bell in a fight that grew in intensity...the two fighters went toe-to-toe in a frenetic 12th round that had the crowd standing and cheering."...
Steve Kim of Maxboxing.com reported, "People always talk of reforming and revitalizing the sport of boxing. The answer to saving this sport is very simple: more fighters like Morales and Pacquiao, and fights like the one that took place on Saturday night. There's no doubt about it, this Tijuana bred boxer is the single toughest, roughest, man in boxing."
Doug Fischer of Maxboxing.com wrote, "Morales...with arguably the biggest win of his career, was born to fight."
At the post-fight press conference, Erik said, "It was a great pleasure to fight this way.
I think I was controlling the fight with my distance. Sometimes I need to put a little flavor into the ring. My promoter always says that I make the fights very difficult, but they're not difficult, they're fun for the public. I decided to stop myself in front of him in the twelfth round because I wanted to give the public what they deserve. It was a great round. I'm very happy about it."
A pro since the age of 16, Erik has given impressive performances at the highest levels of competition and scored several spectacular wins. He has defeated current or former world champions Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espadas twice, Paulie Ayala, Injin Chi, Kevin Kelley, Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Jose Luis Bueno, Daniel Zaragoza, and Hector Acero-Sanchez.
STRENGTHS: Physically strong with excellent skills and punching power...has an aggressive style, is effective at long range with his jab or at close range...keeps a fast pace in the ring...is experienced against top opposition...had a strong amateur background...
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 51 fights...335 total rounds...172 world championship rounds...
AVERAGE LENGTH OF BOUTS: 6.5 rounds...
KNOCKOUT PERCENTAGE: 66 %...
DISTANCE FIGHTS: 12 rounds - 14 (11-3)...11 rounds - 2 (2-0)...10 rounds - 3 (3-0)...
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