Erik Morales - nine years later

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

Erik Morales û Nine years later

September 6, 1997 Daniel Zaragoza, the legendary Mexican fighter took on a fighter who was not only undefeated, but nearly half his age. A 39 year old with 65 fights on his record, had two more knockouts than his 21 year old opponent had wins. For both it was the toughest fight of their careers at that point.

This 21 year old was not any regular fighter, he was Erik ôEl Terribleö Morales.

A close fight throughout, the fight headed into the 11th round, something that Morales had only seen three times before in his career. However with 20 seconds left in the frame, a straight lead right hand to the abdomen sent Zaragoza down. The look said it all on his face. Looking to the corner on his left, then the corner on his right, you could just imagine he was thinking that this was the last time he would see himself in the ring as a fighter.

At the time, Larry Merchant said, ôThis really isnÆt a sad death of a king, so much a passing of the torch to a new generation.ö

The question was, was Morales simply at the right place at the right time, or was he truly going to be a legend? Only time would tell.

One year later, he dismantled Junior Jones in the fourth round with repeated overhand rights that would later be known as his trademark punch.

Not only did he have power in his hands, but Morales also the techniques needed to be a great champion. He had warrior like capabitliies, as shown in his 12 round brutal slugfest with former champion Wayne McCullough. He continued to put on crowd pleasing performances, beating the likes of Kevin Kelley and In Jin Chi. Taking one of two from Marco Antonio Barrera, he later decided to try yet another weight class, this time testing the waters at 130.

Morales never took an ôeasyö fight since then. Taking a 12 round decision against both Jesus Chavez, and Carlos Hernandez he fought Barrera for a third time in yet another fight that yet again won the award of fight of the year. Even then Morales wouldnÆt take a night off, as his next fight was against Barrera conqueror Manny Pacquiao.

Yet again Morales exceeded the expectations from writers and fans as he fought out a hard close twelve round decision.

Later that year he would fight Zahir Raheem as a ôtune-upö for a potential rematch with Pacquiao. Out of shape and fighting at 135, Morales was batted around and simply outboxed by Raheem who took a comfortable decision.

The question now was, can Morales still do it? He was only 29, but every fight had drama with the potential of being fight of the year.
Nonetheless a rematch was made with Pacquiao on January 30th of this year. After a close six rounds Pacquiao took over landing a relentless amount of punches over and over again. The left hand repeatedly was inflicting damage along with a new weapon in PacquioÆs arsenal, a very well developed right hook. Eventually after a few more power punches, Morales fell down which was the first clear knockdown of his career, the only other one coming in the first Barrera fight where his glove grazed the canvas. One more knockdown later and referee Kenny Bayless called a halt to the proceedings marking MoralesÆs third loss in four fights.

A grudge match was made between the two for November 18th. After a fast start by both fighters, they continued to trade in the second round. Morales feeling he had Pacquiao in trouble chased him to the ropes where he was the victim of a counter left that made his knee touch the mat. However, as expected he continued trading giving fans across the globe an entertaining fight.

One round later it was more left hands that sent Morales to the canvas yet again. Still he decided to stand up and continue his fight for survival, even landing a few punches of his own. Then Morales did something I personally have never seen him do. He clinched, and held on. Nevertheless, he was sent down again.

Nine years later the look Zaragoza had was the same Morales had on his face. The night he knocked out Zaragoza he celebrated as if to say, ôThereÆs a new superstar nowö. On the canvas again, he looked in the corner, then up at the referee Vic Drakulich, then back at his team in the corner with a look of realization on his face. With his mouth open, and looking tired, he shook his head, almost saying ôI used to be the one who was knocking guys down. I just canÆt do it anymoreö.

The torch seems to be passed on yet again, this time to Pacquiao.

When coming to the ring, although Morales appeared to be past his day, he still looked like a fighter. However during his interview with Larry Merchant, he looked as if he was an old wise man, with knowledge of something he could once do, but now, he can only sit back and face the truth, that heÆs not the fighter he was nine years ago.

HitHard · Posted: November 19 2006, 20:17 PM Post subject:

I've read this somewhere?

In total agreement.

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

lol i just made it s i doubt uve read it sumwhere

HitHard · Posted: November 19 2006, 21:18 PM Post subject:

Riz, brilliant post then my friend.

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

thnx a lot man... this is my dream to be a pro writer, and yeah i have sum stuff published online, but i wanna get paid for this, makes it even better.

if anyone knows any magazines or newspapers or online places that are willing ot pay writers, or even pay the expenses to cover a fight, lemme know

HitHard · Posted: November 19 2006, 22:09 PM Post subject:

riz wrote: thnx a lot man... this is my dream to be a pro writer, and yeah i have sum stuff published online, but i wanna get paid for this, makes it even better.

if anyone knows any magazines or newspapers or online places that are willing ot pay writers, or even pay the expenses to cover a fight, lemme know Like I said before, don't turn into a English illiterate, post as you can.

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

HitHard wrote: riz wrote: thnx a lot man... this is my dream to be a pro writer, and yeah i have sum stuff published online, but i wanna get paid for this, makes it even better.

if anyone knows any magazines or newspapers or online places that are willing ot pay writers, or even pay the expenses to cover a fight, lemme know Like I said before, don't turn into a English illiterate, post as you can.
I'll keep that in mind. By the way, i think you meant "don't turn into an English illiterate :lol: :wink:

HitHard · Posted: November 20 2006, 9:02 AM Post subject:

Hahahahaha! I'd been on the whisky last night!

SeelowHeights · Joined: 20 Nov 2005 Posts: 12507 Location: Bolton, England

Hey Riz, congrats on it getting into EastSide Boxing!

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=8958&more=1

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

thanks a lot, it's also on bragging rights corner:D

HitHard · Posted: November 20 2006, 16:22 PM Post subject:

Nice one Riz; still laughing at 'a English' Hahahaha!

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

haha, even the best make mistakes.

syza · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 6548

jk, good read and well done riz!

A Minor Funk · Joined: 26 Feb 2006 Posts: 2136

great only 1 thing. Zaragoza was rolling around in agony, while Morales simply sat on the canvas. I think it was more similar to Arguello vs Pryor

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

tom86 wrote: great only 1 thing. Zaragoza was rolling around in agony, while Morales simply sat on the canvas. I think it was more similar to Arguello vs Pryor

I saw the clip a few times, and in fact watched it as I was writing the piece.

Maybe I only concentrated on a few seconds where he did that. But nonetheless, to me, it seemed to be the same look.

The whole spin on it, was that Morales the once conqueror and new young fighter on the scene, is now on the other end of the stick, realizing that his time is up.