Erik Morales Defeats Jose Alfaro: But How Far Can The Comeback Go? -- Eastside Boxing

By James Slater, Eastside Boxing

In the days leading up to last night's return bout, Mexican legend Erik Morales vowed he would quit the ring for good if he could not defeat Jose Alfaro. Well, in coming back after a two-and-a-half year layoff, "El Terrible" proved he has at least something left at age 33. Winning a hard-fought, exciting battle with the former WBA lightweight champion, the former three-weight titlist prevailed by a UD: the scores were 117-111, 116-112,116-112..

Morales, who weighed-in at around 148-pounds for his return, is now 49-6(34). 26-year-old Alfaro of Nicaragua, who had also promised a win and fought hard trying to get one, is now 23-6(20).

No-one really knew what to expect going into last night's WBC intercontinental welterweight bout held in Monterrey, Mexico. Many felt Morales - who complained after his last fight back in 2007, against David Diaz, that he had pains in his head due to the punches he'd taken in the lightweight points loss - was running the risk of being badly hurt or embarrassed by returning to the ring.

This was not the case last night (although the win was a far from easy one for Morales, and at times the action was quite brutal, with both men trading furiously) and Morales proved he still has some fire in his belly. But what does the future hold? No doubt, having successfully cleared the hurdle of his initial comeback bout, Morales will fight again pretty soon. But though the beloved warrior, who looked a little "chubby" as a welterweight, showed he has enough left to remind his fans of the incredible ability he once had, his talk of meeting Manny Pacquiao in a fourth fight still disturbs.

Beating the smaller Alfaro is one thing (but, to be fair, some people did tip the younger man to get the win last night), but how will Morales cope with an elite welterweight or light-welterweight? Craving his place in the history books, and feeling he can get it by becoming the first Mexican boxer to win world titles at four different weights, Morales will possibly have one more fight against a good opponent, before going for a title.

As popular as he is, Morales is likely to get his chance; but who against? "El Terrible" also spoke of a fight with countryman (and WBO lightweight champ) Juan Manuel Marquez. But Morales looks to have a hard time ahead of him if he's to make 135-pounds, and Marquez looks set to face Juan Diaz in a return of their great fight next in any case.

On the whole, Morales deserves credit for last night's fan-friendly victory (has this guy ever been in a bad fight!) but the fears his admirers felt when his return was first announced are still there.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Morales went out a HERO.. but he comes back a FOOL -- Mirror

By Barry Mcguigan, Mirror.co.uk

Erik Morales stands third in my all-time list of Mexican fighters behind Julio Cesar Chavez and Marco Antonio Barrera. That is how highly I rate him.

His first fight with Barrera is in my top 10 bouts of all time, an unbelievable meeting of fire and brimstone inside the ropes.

Morales is the last man to beat Manny Pacquiao five years ago but then he went on the slide, losing the next four fights before retiring.

There is no doubt that hanging up the gloves two and a half years ago was the right thing to do.

Tonight in Monterrey, El Terrible is returning to the ring aged 34 against a Nicaraguan journeyman called Jose Alfaro.

What is going on? There is no worse sight in sport than a shot fighter yearning for the past, a shadow of his former self.

In my 15 years as president of the Professional Boxers Association this was the biggest problem I had to address.

Next week Roy Jones Jnr takes on Bernard Hopkins 17 years after their first meeting. Jones reckons he will knock out Hopkins. It would be laughable if it were not so serious.

Morales conceded on retirement that he had taken too many punches to warrant extending his career. What has happened since then to change his mind?

Those punches have not gone away. He is no less susceptible to the dangers of long-term, slowonset impairment. He says he is targeting a fourth fight with Pacquiao. He must be dreaming. Pacquaio himself is hinting at retirement, doubtless to smoke out Floyd Mayweather.

But he won't hang around to beat up an old pug who cannot adhere to basic referee's instructions - defend yourself at all times.

The best outcome tonight would be a resounding victory for Alfaro. Sadly, that is unlikely given his pedigree.

It is a bad end to a sad week. My phone has been ringing off the hook with people wanting to discuss the passing of Harry Carpenter. Harry had been out of the limelight for 16 years, yet people remember him as if it were yesterday.

He went out at the top is no of his game and died in his sleep, aged 84. I would sign for that right now.

I recall Harry saying how he thought I had done the right thing when I retired. He was pleased I got out in good shape.

Morales is walking a tightrope that leads only one way - to misery and failure.

I prefer to remember him at his peak, standing toe to toe with Barrera going flat out to the finish. I have rarely seen such raw power and ferocity reciprocated so skilfully. They went through the full canon of boxing skills.

Morales not only hit like a mule, he could take a punch too.

He went out a hero and comes back a fool. Boxing is a young man's game.

Source: mirror.co.uk

Erik Morales: “Technically I have always known that I am better than Manny Pacquiao” -- Eastside Boxing

By Geoffrey Ciani, Eastside Boxing

This past week’s edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with three division champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales. “El Terrible” was last seen inside the squared circle when he lost a somewhat controversial decision at the hands of David Diaz back in August 2007. This Saturday night Morales returns to the ring for the first time in a fight against former WBA lightweight champion Jose Alfaro. Here are some excerpts from that interview:

On coming back after nearly a two and a half year layoff:
“Yes, the rest was very good for me because I had a lot of physical fights and now, after two years, I feel well rested so things will turn out different for me.”

Regarding his thoughts on coming back:
“For me it is very important to give all of my heart inside the ring. I’ve always been able to accomplish that because I have always had the public behind me and that’s why I want to invite everyone on the 27th because it’s going to be no exception—it’s also going to be a great, great fight..”

Regarding his last fight where he suffered a disputed loss against David Diaz:
“The fight with David Diaz I did not lose. I think the judges beat me and psychologically for me it was not good for me in that moment, but now I am ready.”

On the controversial decision he lost in his rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera:

“I felt that in the first fight I was very, very happy because I won the fight. Barrera was very, very sad because he thought he won and they didn’t give it to him. In the second one, I thought for sure I had won that fight. I was celebrating like I had just won and Barrera never ever celebrated because he knew that even though they gave him the victory he could not celebrate. To me the most important thing in each of my fights is that all of the people that came to watch me fight are leaving happy that they saw a great fight leaving the arena. It doesn’t matter if I won or lost because I want those people to be entertained because they paid for those tickets.”

On being the last person to defeat current pound for pound King Manny Pacquiao:
“When I first fought him it was at 130 pounds. The second time he would not give me the chance to fight at 132 pounds and now he is fighting at 147 and I am coming back to fight at 147 also. I’m hoping that at a time not too long from now when the people see I can still do great, great things in the ring, I’m hoping that Manny Pacquiao will give me the chance to show he’s not the best in the world, because what I remember after twelve rounds is Manny Pacquiao crying—and crying and crying and crying because he knew about the beating he had just taken and he knew at that time there was somebody technically better than him. He had to find some way to be at an advantage to try and control me. That’s the way history was written, but here I am—brand new.”

On what he would do differently if he was to have a fourth fight with Pacquiao:
“The first time I fought him I just went right through him. The second time I went through him until the middle part of the fight but then I just ran out of steam and the third time I was just not able to, but now—I really value my condition more than ever before and so therefore now, I feel that I will show him I am much better than him. Technically I have always known that I am better than Manny Pacquiao, but now physically—that technicality and that skill and conditioning are all one and the same.”

Regarding his plan to compete in the welterweight division:
“I feel I can fight at welterweight easily. I can fight Pacquiao, I can fight (Juan Manuel) Marquez who has already fought at 147, and I can fight (Miguel) Cotto. I can fight any of those guys easily at 147 pounds. I feel very, very confident there.”

His views on Juan Manuel Marquez as a fighter:
“I’ve talked to Golden Boy about the possibility of fighting Juan Manuel Marquez. I think he’s a complete fighter, he’s an excellent fighter, but by the same token—there’s been Barrera and me, there’s been Pacquiao and me, there’s been all of those people with me but the one name missing is Juan Manuel Marquez. I am looking forward for the chance to fight Marquez.”

On whether he was disappointed he never got the opportunity to face Prince Naseem Hamed:
“Not at all. I’ve created my own legacy with the great fighters that I have fought so I never really needed Naseem Hamed and after he lost to Barrera he just disappeared.”

Regarding the story behind how he first started using the “El Terrible” moniker:
“Let it be told, that nickname was not given to me as a fighter but it was because I was so mischievous out in the street and it was actually given to me in the street.”

On Manny Pacquiao’s recent run of success in the higher weight classes:
“First of all, I respect all the hard work that Manny Pacquiao has put in with scaling the different weight divisions and showing tremendous dominance. For my particular taste, those fights were not a pleasure because they seemed way too easy and it defies logic how easily Pacquiao was able to win all of those fights.”

On whether he thinks rumors circulating about Pacquiao taking any illegal substances have any basis in truth:
“ I’m not really there so I don’t really know. I guess a lot of times when you don’t fear anything you’re willing to take anything or any of that stuff, but the bottom line is I don’t really know anything about that stuff so it’s not really for me to go ahead and decide.”

On what he considers to be his most complete performance:
“Obviously, winning my first title. I’ve had so many great moments. Winning my first title was one of them. The second being when I fought and unified the titles against Barrera, and of course, when I fought Pacquiao because everybody thought he was the best 130 pound fighter in the world and so therefore going in there, and also winning my third world title. They have all been great moments for me.”

On being a part of the famous trilogy with Marco Antonio Barrera:
“Basically we both had a warrior mentality where we both came in and gave it everything we had. That was the thing that united us in the ring—the will and the warrior mentality to give it everything that we had.”

Regarding whether or not he received any added satisfaction in his win over Junior Jones because Jones twice bested Barrera:

“Obviously, there have been two opponents that have been very, very important in my career. One of them of course as you just mentioned, was Junior Jones who had beaten 32 Mexicans before he got to me and so to go ahead and put a beating on him and beat him, that was a tremendous pleasure. Then after that it was Manny Pacquiao. Being the first Mexican fighter to ever beat Manny Pacquiao, that was a tremendous pleasure and also because of how many other Mexican fighters Pacquiao has beaten. So those have been the two fighters that are so, so important for my career.”

On whether he would ever consider having a fourth fight with Barrera:
“No, not really. I feel that Marco Antonio Barrera is retired and that he is now done with boxing—especially not at 147 pounds, I don’t think Barrera would ever want that.”

Regarding how he would ultimately like to be remembered by boxing fans:
“Like they’ve always known me—as a great, great warrior who gives his heart in the ring.”

On how he feels he will perform in his next fight against Jose Alfaro:
“First of all, I’m quicker than ever. I feel very comfortable at this weight because I feel I can let it all go. I can let it all go in the ring and I’m going up against a guy who was a world champion. He’s a tremendous, tremendous puncher and he’s a very young guy so he’s going to be anxious to make great fight so therefore it’s going to make for a great, great fight—but, I am more than ready for the task. Whatever is in front of me I am more than ready to show the world that I am back.”

Regarding his future plans in the event he beats Alfaro:
“First of all, the number one thing is that when I go in there the people are going to go ahead and rate me. So I am waiting for the people to go ahead and rate me and let them decide who, in fact, they would like to see me fight. So on your radio show or anything like that if you have some suggestions after the fight, let everybody decide what level I am fighting and let everyone voice their opinion and then they can pick who I fight next.”

His official prediction on his upcoming fight with Alfaro:
“We’re going to make a great, great fight—a beautiful fight—but we’re going to win.”

***

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Source: eastsideboxing.com

Erik Morales Returns to Ring Against Jose Alfaro -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Erik Morales' legacy as one of the premiere Mexican fighters is no doubt secure, as is his reputation as one of the best boxers ever to lace on a pair of gloves.

"Morales has sealed a respected reputation in boxing, in my humble opinion, because he's done so much. I believe that he's going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer," said Robert Morales, of the Los Angeles Daily News and The Long Beach Press Telegram. "I don't think that there is anything that could stop him from being recognized as one of Mexico's greatest fighters of the past 25 years."

In November and April of 1996, and, 1997, respectively, Junior Jones handed the previously unbeaten Marco Antonio Barrera consecutive losses by fifth-round disqualification, and, unanimous decision.

Two fights later, however, Morales, nicknamed, "El Terrible," stopped Jones in four rounds on the way to running his own unbeaten mark to 35 bouts.

Born in Tijuana, Mex., Morales lost two out of three fights with Mexico City's Barrera, a classic trilogy that reached a legendary status which, for Mexicans, rivals the one between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Barrera-Morales" is probably the greatest trilogy in boxing history," noted boxing historian, Burt Sugar, said in 2004. "Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier II was a non-fight, and Tony Zale-Rocky Graziano III was a walk-over," said Sugar. "Barrera-Morales is the only trilogy where each of the three fights was as good as the other."

After defeating Morales in their third meeting by majority decision in November, 2004, Barrera extended his hand to Morales, only to get a water bottle thrown at him.

"At one point, Barrera had referred to Morales as an 'Indio,' which means 'Indian,' and for someone from the well-to-do, Southern part of of Mexico like Barrera to say that to a guy from the down-trodden, Northern part of Mexico, Tijuana, like Morales was, that's quite an insult," said Robert Morales, a Mexican-American who is not related to Erik Morales.

"One guy who was born in Mexico but who now lives in the United States told me that 'Indio' was as bad as somebody using the N-word," said Morales. "That's what started the animosity and the real dislike for each other. And ther was no question that by the time these guys got done with their three fights, they just did not like each other."

But following that second loss to Barrera, Morales bounced back by earning a March, 2005, unanimous decision over future seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao.

Since then, however, Pacquiao has gone 12-0, with eight knockouts -- including two stoppages over Morales -- earned Fighter Of The Year honors three straight times, been named Fighter Of The Decade, and agruably become the sport's best fighter, pound-for-pound.

"The two opponents who have defined my career are Junior Jones and Manny Pacquaio. Defeating Jones was important to me because he had stopped something like 32 Mexicans in previous fights," said Morales, who will turn 34 in September. "Defeating Pacquaio is my greatest accomplishment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our fight."

But Morales' career took a downward spiral following the victory over Pacquiao, after which, in succession, he was decisioned by Zahir Raheem in September of 2005, stopped in 10, and, three rounds, by Pacquiao, respectively, in January, and, November, of 2006, and, decisioned by David Diaz in August of 2007.

Morales lost, 115-112, 111-113, and, 114-113, to Diaz, who prevented Morales from becoming the first Mexican fighter to win a crown in four divisions.

Morales announced his retirement in the ring following losing to Diaz, which was his fourth straight setback, and the fifth in his last six fights.

"The smaller fighters usually have been in a lot of wars and take a lot of punishment because there are a lot more punches delivered. And his first championship was at super bantamweight [122 pounds,]" said Robert Morales, referring to Morales' September, 1997, 11th-round knockout of Daniel Zaragoza.

"So I don't see any reason for him to come back unless he needs the money or is in a financial hardship," said Morales. "Something like that could tarnish his legacy just a little bit because Morales has nothing left to prove."

But the 33-year-old, former three-division, world champion, is coming back.

For Morales (48-6, 34 knockouts) will end a 31-month ring absence on Saturday night when he takes on 26-year-old Jose "Jicaras" Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs), of Nagarote, Nicaragua, in a 12-round, 142-pound bout in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mex.

Among Morales' goals during the comeback are a fourth-straight match up with Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), as well as a shot at Mexican great, Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs), a WBA lightweight (135 pounds) champion and three-division titlist who has beaten Barrera, lost a disputed decision to Pacquiao and battled Pacquiao to a draw.

"I would love another chance at Pacquaio," said Morales, "and I also look forward to fighting Juan Manuel Marquez in the future."

Morales said that he would like to face Pacquiao at 147 pounds.

"At 147, I'm faster than ever and freer with my body, so I can get the most out of it. First, though, is my fight against Jose Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey on pay per view," said Morales.

"Alfaro is a great young fighter and a former world champion. He's a wicked puncher who will bring his best," said Morales. "Alfaro has a big heart that he will bring into the ring, and he always gives fans everything he has."

Last seen in the ring on Halloween, however, Alfaro was absorbing a one-sided beating at the hands of Mexican southpaw, Antonio DeMarco, who won virtually every round of their WBC interim lightweight title bout before stopping Alfaro in the 10th.

Alfaro had won three straight fights, two of them by knockout, before facing DeMarco at Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Alfaro was attempting to line himself up for another shot at the WBA crown, which he had won in December of 2007 by split decision over Thailand's Prawet Singwancha.

Alfaro, however, was promptly dethroned by Japan's Yusuke Kobori, who stopped Alfaro in the third round of his first defense in May of 2008.

"I do not mind that Morales is the favorite in this fight. I understand, but I had the best training camp of my life, in my country, and I'm going to win," said Alfaro. "My youth and strength will dominate this match. I know that I'm going to be taking the victory to back to Nicaragua."

Among the bouts on the Morales-Alfaro undercard is a 12-round co-feature between former two-time, WBA light heavyweight (175 pounds) champion, Hugo Hernan "Pigu" Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), of Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina, against Chris "Hard Hittin" Henry (24-2, 19 KOs), of Houston, Tex., in a WBA eliminator.

"I'm happy to be here [in Monterrey,] and completely ready to face Alfaro. Fans will see a different Erik Morales than in my last few fights," said Morales.

"Now I'm hungry to win this fight and to go on toward winning a world title in my fourth division," said Morales. "I want to prove to everyone watching that all of the hard work in training camp will result in a great performance in my return to the ring."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Morales hopes comeback leads to welterweight title shot -- ESPN

By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

After Erik Morales lost a close, grueling decision to then-lightweight titlist David Diaz in August 2007, he announced his retirement.

Morales, who had clearly lost a step by that time, said at the postfight press conference at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., that every time he got hit, his head hurt, which is certainly a sure sign that it might be time to go. Another sign was that the loss to Diaz was Morales' fourth consecutive defeat and fifth defeat in his last six fights, the one victory coming in 2005 in the first of his three fights with Manny Pacquiao -- who hasn't lost since.

Despite the losing streak, Morales' Hall of Fame legacy had been sealed years earlier. The Mexican great is a three-division champion -- junior featherweight, featherweight and junior lightweight -- with a long list of big wins and classic fights, such as his thrilling trilogy with Marco Antonio Barrera and the first two slugfests with Pacquiao. But, like so many other great fighters restless in retirement, Morales is making a comeback after 2½ years out of the ring, and will lace 'em up again in Monterrey, Mexico, on Saturday night (Integrated Sports PPV, 9 ET, $29.95). Morales (48-6, 34 KOs), who will fight all the way up in the welterweight division, will face former lightweight titlist Jose Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs) of Nicaragua in the main event of a card called "The Champion Returns."

As unlikely as it may seem, the 33-year-old Morales -- who turned pro at age 16 -- still has designs on becoming the first Mexican-born fighter to win titles in four divisions.

Morales couldn't get accomplish that goal when he challenged Diaz for a lightweight crown, but he hopes a win against Alfaro can put him on the road to a welterweight belt.

"I'm happy to be here and completely ready to face Alfaro," Morales said. "Fans will see a different Erik Morales than in my last few fights because now I'm hungry to win this fight and go on towards winning a world title in my fourth division. I want to prove to everyone watching that all of the hard work in training camp will result in a great performance in my return to the ring."

Pacquiao, of course, holds a welterweight title and Morales said he'd like another crack at him, despite being stopped in the 10th round of their rematch, which was competitive, and then blown out in three rounds in their rubber match.

Another shot at Pacquiao is highly unlikely, but Morales holds onto the dream.

"The two opponents who have defined my career are Junior Jones and Manny Pacquiao," Morales said. "Defeating Jones was important to me because he had stopped something like 32 Mexicans in previous fights. Defeating Pacquiao is my greatest accomplishment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our fight. I would love another chance at Pacquiao and I also look forward to fighting (Mexican countryman) Juan Manuel Marquez in the future."

"At 147, I'm faster than ever and freer with my body so I can get the most out of it. First, though, is my fight against Jose Alfaro. & (He) is a great young fighter and a former world champion. A wicked puncher who will bring his best, he has a big heart in the ring, and always gives fans everything he has."

Alfaro, 26, briefly held a 135-pound belt in late 2007 and early 2008. He is coming off a 10th-round TKO loss to Mexico's Antonio DeMarco, whom he met for an interim belt on Showtime in October.

"I do not mind that Morales is the favorite in this fight," Alfaro said. "I understand but I had the best training camp of my life, in my country, and I'm going to win. My youth and strength will dominate this match. I know that I'm going to be taking the victory to Nicaragua."

Also on the pay-per-view: former light heavyweight titlist Hugo Hernan Garay (32-4, 17 KOs) of Argentina meets Houston's Chris Henry (24-2, 19 KOs) in a title eliminator and heavyweight David Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs) faces journeyman Daniel Bispo (22-12, 16 KOs). A fight between Denver Cuello (19-2-5, 10) of the Philippines and Mexico's Juan Hernandez (15-1, 12 KOs) for a vacant interim strawweight belt fell out on Tuesday after Hernandez suffered a training injury.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Morales primed for return -- ESPN Star

ESPNStar.com

Erik Morales has vowed to be a different fighter when he returns to the ring for the first time in over two years.

The iconic Morales (48-6 34KOs) is on a mission to become the first Mexican world champion at four different weights.

His quest begins in Monterrey as he takes on former WBA lightweight champion Jose Alfaro (23-5, 20KOs) for the vacant WBC Intercontinental welterweight crown.

The 33-year-old Morales, the last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao, has also beaten the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Pauli Ayala, Irishman Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espadas, Jr, Daniel Zaragoza and Kevin Kelly in a glittering career that brought world titles at featherweight, super-featherweight and super-bantamweight.

But he has not fought since August 2007 when he lost a close decision to David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title, despite producing a first-round knockdown.

He announced his retirement after that defeat - which was his fourth in a row.

Morales said: "I'm happy to be here (in Monterrey) and completely ready to face Alfaro.

"Fans will see a different Erik Morales than in my last few fights because now I'm hungry to win this fight and go on towards winning a world title in my fourth division.

"I want to prove to everyone watching that all of the hard work in training camp will result in a great performance in my return to the ring."

Source: espnstar.com

Boxing card features last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao -- The Examiner

By James Wyatt, Examiner.com

On Saturday, March 27th, at the Arena Monterrey, in Monterrey, Mexico, Erik “El Terrible” Morales (48-6-0, 34 KO’s) who lives in San Ysidro, Ca. and was born just across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, will face Jose Alfaro (23-5-0, 20 K0’s) an orthodox fighter from Nagarote, Nicaragua. The reason for mentioning that Alfaro is right-handed, Morales, the three time world champion, is making a return to the ring after two and half years and lost his last three fights to southpaws. Unlike Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz, Alfaro fights orthodox.

The fight announcing team for this upcoming fight, Benny Ricardo and Colonel Bob Sheridan, spoke Monday with Morales at the Televisa Awards ceremony to honor the best athletes of the last decade. Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, his opponent for the classic trilogy of fights, were being honored in the “fight of the decade” category.

Morales reminisced about the bouts that have thus far defined his career: one, his four round stoppage of Junior Jones and two, his victory over Manny Pacquiao on March 19, 2005.

Jones had stopped 32 Mexicans prior to the Morales/Jones fight and the win over Pacquiao at which he saw Pacquiao cry after the fight, is considered his greatest accomplishment. That unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao, makes Morales the last man to defeat the pound for pound title holder.

Erik stated he would like another shot at Pacquiao and feels that at 147 pounds he is now faster than ever and freer with his body to get the most out of it. First things first though, which is to defeat Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey, Mexico, on Pay-Per-View.

Erik, who then spent much of his time praising the younger Alfaro, mentioned that he too is a former world champion and a wicked puncher who will bring the best out of him. That last part wasn’t really necessary. Morales has never failed to bring anything but his best to his 111 amateur bouts and 54 professional bouts.

On the March 27th undercard:

Chris “Hard Hittin’” Henry of Houston, Texas (24-2-0, 19 KO’s), will face two-time WBA light heavyweight champ Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay of Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina (32-4-0, 17 KO’s) in a WBA Light Heavyweight eliminator.

In a 12-round title fight the WBC International minimumweight title holder, southpaw Denver Cuello of Cabatuan, Philippines (19-2-5, 10), will face the NABF title holder, Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1-0, 12 KOs) of Mexico City.

El Paso’s undefeated NABA title-holder David “Nino” Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs) will take on the 1996 Brazilian Olympian Daniel Bispo (22-12, 16 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.

Lightweight Ramon “Nino de Oro” Ayala (15-1-1, 7 KOs) the 21-year-old who has been Erik Morales’ principle sparring partner, will also fight on the same card.

Source: examiner.com

Morales wants another crack at Pacquiao -- The Ring

By Michael Rosenthal, The Ring

Erik Morales, the last fighter to beat Manny Pacquiao, says he wants another shot at the Filipino champion.

The three-division titleholder from Mexico, who is 33, returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Jose Alfaro on a pay-per-view show March 27 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Morales, then a junior lightweight, outpointed Pacquiao in 2005 in Las Vegas before being stopped twice by Pacquiao at the same weight the following year.

The San Diego resident fought once more, losing a decision at lightweight to David Diaz, and then announced his retirement. He has lost five of his last six fights.

Now Morales (48-6, 34 knockouts) insists he’ll be a new man at 147 pounds. He wants to become the first Mexican to win major titles in four weight classes.

“The two opponents who have defined my career are Junior Jones and Manny Pacquaio,” Morales said. “Defeating Jones was important to me because he had stopped something like 32 Mexicans in previous fights. Defeating Pacquaio is my greatest accomplishment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our fight. I would love another chance at Pacquaio and I also look forward to fighting Juan Manuel Marquez in the future.

“At 147, I’m faster than ever and freer with my body so I can get the most out of it. First, though, is my fight against Jose Alfaro on March 27 in Monterrey on pay per view. Alfaro is a great young fighter and a former world champion. A wicked puncher who will bring his best, he has a big heart into the ring, and always gives fans everything he has.”

Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs) briefly held a junior lightweight title in 2007. The Nicaraguan is coming of a 10th-round knockout loss to Antonio DeMarco in October.

In the co-feature, Hugo Garay (32-4, 17 KOs) faces Chris Henry (24-2, 19 KOs) in a light heavyweight title eliminator.

Source: ringtv.com

Four-star Morales sets target -- ESPN STAR

ESPNSTAR.com

Erik Morales has set his sights on becoming the first Mexican to win world titles at four different weights.

Morales returns to the ring later this month after an absence of over two years.

The 33-year-old, a seven-time world champion and the last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao, takes on former WBA lightweight champion Jose Alfaro in Monterrey on March 27 for the WBC Intercontinental welterweight crown.

Morales (48-6) first captured the WBC super bantamweight title in 1997 and held it through to 2000, making eight successful defences, also adding the WBO belt with his victory against another Mexican fighting legend, Marco Antonio Barrera.

He moved up in weight and in 2000 and won the WBC featherweight championship, which he held for two years, later recapturing the WBC featherweight belt in 2002.

He moved up again to add the WBC super featherweight title to his growing hardware collection in 2004 and five months later he took the IBF super featherweight title, before the IBA super featherweight belt against Pacquiao.

Morales' victims over the years reads like a who's who list and, in addition to Pacquiao and Barrera, includes Pauli Ayala, Irishman Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espadas, Jr., Daniel Zaragoza and Kevin Kelly.

"I return with desire to succeed," said Morales. "My plan is to win my fourth world title. We chose Alfaro as my opponent because he is so respected.

"It's true, I had some personal problems, received bad advice and had many temptations. I worked hard on it and now I'm better than before. I feel much better, so we took a risk fighting a man of Alfaro's quality."

But Nicaraguan knockout specialist Alfaro (23-5), who has defeated world champions Prawet Singwancha and DeMarcus Corley, believes it's his time.

"Morales is finished," claimed the 26-year-old. "His past was great but not now. I'm younger, stronger and faster that him and I will demonstrate that on March 27 in Monterrey.

"Morales is definitely wrong to continue boxing. This is a business and something that gives me a better life. I will come to beat him and will win."

The undercard features a WBA light heavyweight eliminator between former champion Hugo Hernan Garay and Chris Henry, plus a strawweight throw-down between unbeaten WBA champion Roman "Chocolalito" Gonzalez (25-0, representing Nicaragua, and world rated Mexican contender Juan Hernandez (15-1).

Source: espnstar.com

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