By James Slater: In the past, Mexican idol Erik Morales has confessed that he “must be crazy” for wanting to take all the tough, risky fights he has taken and continues to take. But Morales, who recently made boxing history by becoming the first Mexican to win four recognised world titles in as many weight classes, is hungry for more fights and more success yet.
Speaking earlier this week, in a meeting with Don Jose of the WBC as well as members of the press, 35-year-old Morales spoke of his plans: to first defend his WBA 140-pound belt (against a TBA) on December 10th in Tijuana and to then drop down to lightweight and try and defeat the winner of tomorrow night’s Jorge Linares-Tony DeMarco WBC lightweight title match-up that will go ahead on the Hopkins-Dawson card in L.A.
Morales, 52-7(36) will meet with Golden Boy Promotions this Saturday, to decide who he will defend his WBA light-welterweight belt against. According to Fightnews, Britain’s Anthony Crolla is a possibility for the Dec. 10th date (although in this week’s Boxing News, Crolla admitted he himself is in the dark as to whether or not he will get his big chance against the Mexican great.) Then, all being well, Morales will get down to 135 and challenge whoever it is out of Linares and DeMarco that holds the WBC lightweight crown.
A smart move it may be by Morales in vacating his WBA belt at 140 too. This way he will not have to fight unbeaten number-one contender Ajose Olusegun, the Nigerian who was formerly based in the UK but now fights out of America (and earned his WBA #1 ranking with that thriller of a points win over Ali Chebah late last month). Incredibly strong and determined, Olusegun is as hungry as can be. Maybe Morales, who doesn’t figure to tangle with 30-0 operator, isn’t quite as crazy as we thought after all!
But can Morales get down to 135 and be effective enough at the weight to be able to beat either Linares or DeMarco?
Morales has looked a little fleshy as a light-welter, a clear sign he is fighting out of his natural weight class (and that he is getting on in years). Maybe, if Morales – who is quite tall for a lightweight at 5’8” – can get down, he will look more cut. But will Erik have the inner strength having boiled down to 135? It seems we will find out. Assuming he wins on Dec. 10th in his planned “homecoming” defence, the warrior who has already won belts as a super-bantamweight, featherweight, super-featherweight and light-welterweight will be going for a piece of the lightweight championship in March of next year.
What a fantastic achievement it will be by Morales if he can do it. It would also mark the perfect time for this modern day master to opt to walk away and hang up his gloves.