TEMOAYA, Mexico – Erik Morales’ return to the ring is about to become one of the biggest boxing headlines of 2011. His road back began 23 months ago, when the 35-year-old El Terribly Erik Morales, who had been retired for two and a half years, realized he needed and wanted to continue fighting for his legendary career. Now, the man from Mexico and the most popular Mexican fighter and most love has a shot at making history as the only Mexican fighter to win 4 titles in different divisions.
On Saturday in Las Vegas, Erik Morales will try to become the first boxer born in Mexico to be crowned world champion in four different weight classes, and he has made it clear ,inside and outside the ring, that he did not put the gloves back on simply because, as the saying goes, he felt the “little worm” to continue boxing.
Outside the ring, he is a sober and self-reflective man, who says he is no longer limited by his own shortcomings. He maintains that he has not returned for money; and he seems to live well. He doesn’t seem to be motivated by vanity; in fact, he barely randks himself among the 10 best Mexican boxers of all time. He hasn’t rushed into his decision, having fought four increasingly difficult tune-ups since coming out of retirement. Instead, with straightforward conviction he says he just wants to regain his place as a fighter and show that he can still compete with the best.
Erik Morales is motivated and eager to win his elusive dream of becoming the only Mexican fighter to win four titles in different division. He’s skills and high IQ in boxing will bring him into the promise land come Saturday night. Many thoughts that this is the time, the best time for El Terribly to show to the world that even at 35 years old and was beaten by some great fighters including Manny Pacquiao, it is not yet time for him to say quit but rather continue proving and winning and regain respect from critics and boxing experts.
