by James Slater – Call him crazy if you want (and it’s a certainty a good number of fight fans will), but legendary Mexican warrior Erik Morales has made it known how he very much wants a fourth fight with reigning pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. The 33-year-old former three-weight world champion known as “El Terrible” makes his return to the ring this coming March 27th, when after a two-and-half-year layoff he will face the much younger Jose Alfaro in his homeland up at welterweight..
And, in being quoted by Ringtv.com, the future Hall of Famer has spoken of how he hopes a winning return will lead to not only a fourth fight with Pac-Man, but also a clash with countryman Juan Manuel Marquez.
“The two opponents who have defined my career are Junior Jones and Manny Pacquiao,” Morales said. “Defeating Jones was important to me because he had stopped something like 32 Mexicans in previous fights. Defeating Pacquiao is my greatest accomplishment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our [first] fight. I would love another chance at Pacquiao and I also look forward to fighting Juan Manuel Marquez in the future.”
So, is the Mexican great with the amazing 48-6(34) pro record (most of it fought against elite-level operators) delusional, or could these fights actually happen? I feel a fourth fight with Pacquiao has next to no chance of happening, even though Morales is the last man to have beaten the Filipino icon. Whereas a fight with the still highly regarded Marquez, though also a long shot, is more conceivable.
Morales is, after all, a huge name in the sport, and if he can get himself a win or three under his belt starting with the Alfaro bout, then who knows? Maybe the fans will buy into the idea of him stepping in there with a top-ranked foe, or even a reigning world champion.
Certainly, Morales himself, who wants to make history as the first Mexican boxer to win world titles in four weight classes, feels he will be a better fighter up at 147-pounds, even at his current age.
“At 147, I’m faster than ever and freer with my body so I can get the most out of it,” Morales declared. “First, though, is my fight against Jose Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey.”
Morales, as is his way, has not picked an easy or safe opponent against whom to return, and Alfaro could well beat the legend, thus ending any further talk of a Pacquiao-Morales IV. And that would surely be nothing but a good thing, because as brave as Morales still is, as full of heart as he still is, we cannot forget the way he folded inside three-rounds the last time he met the lethal southpaw who is right now at the very top of his game.
Should a fourth fight actually get made (and, say what you want, but crazier things have happened in the sport over the years), the anti-boxing brigade would almost certainly have a field day!
By the way, what’s with Morales saying the two defining opponents of his career were Jones and Pacquiao? Has “El Terrible” forgotten all about his incredible three-fight series with a certain Marco Antonio Barrera!