Erik Morales wants Pinoy as next foe -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

TOKYO — Erik Morales is in the hunt for a Filipino foe.

Morales, who figured in a thrilling trilogy with Manny Pacquiao, will return to the ring either July 17 or 24 in Cancun, Mexico, according to his co-promoter Nacho Huizar.

Morales and Huizar joined hands recently when “El Terrible” made a successful comeback after a two-and-a-half year layoff with a 12-round decision over Nicaraguan Jose Alfaro in Monterrey, Mexico.

Huizar has spoken with Filipino boxing promoter Wakee Salud, who gave the name of Eusebio Baluarte as a potential opponent for Morales.

Baluarte, 22, is the Philippines’ super-lightweight champion and a holder of a 15-2 win-loss record with nine knockouts.

Salud said he will confer with Baluarte’s chief handler, Leonel Lazarito, as soon as he gets back to Manila.

Salud is here to watch the World Boxing Council super-bantam title match between Filipino challenger Balweg Bangoyan and Japanese champion Toshiaki Nishioka.

“I will talk to Morales about this proposal,” said Huizar, stressing that Morales, 33, will have the final say.

The heavy-handed Baluarte hails from Valencia, Bukidnon.

Morales beat Pacquiao in their first fight in March 2005 but Pacquiao exacted payback in January 2006 then showed his mastery over the Mexican in November of the same year.

Source: mb.com.ph