Erik Morales desires to be the first Mexican boxer to capture world titles in four different weight classes. In doing so he will face rugged Scotsman Willie Limond for the 50th career win in his illustrious boxing career.
The match being dubbed, “Mexican Fiesta” at the Monumental Plaza de Toros in Mexico City will be contested for the vacant WBC Diamond super lightweight championship on pay-per-view at 9PM ET/6PM PT.
One of the most revered Mexican fighters of all-time, Morales’ list of victims over the years reads like a Who’s Who list: Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Pauli Ayala, Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espada, Jr. (twice), Daniel Zaragoza and Kevin Kelly. Many of these past victories have earned him titles such as the WBC Super Bantamweight Featherweight, Super Featherweight, WBO Super Bantamweight and IBF Junior Lightweight.
Erik started to box at the tender age of five, learning from his father, Jose Morales. An outstanding amateur boxer, Morales had a 108-6 amateur record, including 11 major Mexican titles. Morales turned pro in 1993 and he won his first 41 pro fights, losing for the first time in 2002 to fellow Mexican boxing icon Barrera, who Erik had beaten two years earlier by 12-round decision.
The highlight of Morales’ career, perhaps, was his 2005 victory against present pound- for-pound champion Pacquiao, by 12-round decision in Las Vegas.
After losing a 2007 12-round decision to David Diaz for the WBC Lightweight Championship, Morales announced his retirement, but he started a comeback this past March, defeating Jose Alfaro by 12-round decision for the WBC International Welterweight Championship. Morales has stated from the get go that the sole reason he is coming back is to capture that elusive fourth title and be the first Mexican fighter to win four titles in four different weight division. If he fails, Morales has stated he will most likely step back in retirement, if he succeeds he will continue to box. It remains to be seen what will happen this Saturday the 11th on PPV.
