Morales, Matthysse Discuss Their Upcoming WBC Title Clash

Erik Morales

Good afternoon to everyone. How is everybody? I’m very happy and very excited to be fighting September 17 for the WBC Super Lightweight title. And I’m very excited to be doing it against a very good, very dangerous, very strong fighter like Lucas Matthysse, and one thing’s for sure that together, we will provide fireworks. We will give you a very good fight.

Lucas Matthysse

Good afternoon to everybody. Hello. Hope all is well. I’m very happy. We’re very happy here in Argentina that I’ll be fighting on September 17 against a better opponent, which is Erik Morales, such a big name, and I’m very excited.

Question

Erik, what made you decide to make training camp in Mexico City? Is it the altitude? And how important is it to become a fourth world champion?

Morales

Yes, change is always good and we’re making adjustments and changes between my normal training camp in Otomi and Mexico City. The altitude is good. We’re preparing very well and looking forward to the fight on September 17.

Now, Lucas, the question is to you. You’ve had two tough fights with Zab Judah and Devon Alexander, but this seems to be graduation. Now you have a legendary opponent in Erik Morales. How are you preparing yourself and how are you mentally prepared?

Matthysse

Everybody knows that those two losses were bad decisions against me. I was robbed in both of those fights. We’re very happy right now to be fighting Erik Morales. We’re preparing ourselves. We’re fighting for the world title and we’ll be ready.

Erik, do you believe that you surprised a lot of people with your very good performance against Marcos Maidana?

Morales

Well the odds were seven to one. Everybody thought I was going to get mashed and walked over, but I was always motivated. I always knew in my mind what I had to do in that fight and to win it.

Lucas how difficult has it been for you to deal with those two split decision losses that you got here in the United States and were reluctant to come back and fight here again because of them?

Matthysse

No, it wasn’t difficult at all because I know I won those fights. People know I won those fights. And you know, hey, when I was offered this opportunity I was very happy to come back to the U.S., and what better way to be fighting for the world title? So right away it was not something even to think about. I’m very excited and ready to go.

Erik, what would you say to people who might say that you’ve kind of been ushered into this position based more on your past and your great background rather than what you’ve done lately? What would say to people who might have that criticism of you?

Morales

If there is concern or people criticizing, you know what, I won’t get upset. I’ll take it as it comes. But if they are giving me this opportunity because of my past, because of my history, my past fights, then hey, I think it’s a little valid. I mean I’ve had very tough fights. I’ve had everything but there’s one thing for sure that in every fight I always give it my 100 percent. I’m always there to fight for the fans, and this is not going to be an exception.

How worried are you as far as the judges for the fight? Erik, you’ve had two fights David Diaz denied you for that fourth world title and then the Maidana fight; and Lucas, the same, the Devon Alexander and Zab Judah fight. How worried are you about the judges getting it right?

Morales

Well, really, I can only worry about things that are in my hands; the training, the preparation, the dates, and all. I can’t really worry and focus on things that are out of my hands. Did it bother me at one time about the bad decisions and David Diaz? Yes, it did. I can’t deny that, but that’s in the past and it’s very of my style to look forward, look for the present, and be ready. I’m very happy with this opportunity that’s been given and I’m going for it.

Matthysse

I’m confident. I’m trusting the judges. I know that Vegas is very different. I hope it doesn’t happen the same as in the past fights, but I’m concentrating on my fight and preparing and I’m okay. I leave it in the hands of the judges.

What do you see different in the two past fights between Zab Judah, Devon Alexander, and now the present fight against Erik Morales? Is there any major difference fighting Erik?

Matthysse

Well, yes, totally different styles, different fighters. They box. They move backwards. Erik Morales boxes, but he moves forward. He comes to fight.

Erik, what did your last fight with Maidana do for your confidence level knowing that not only could you plan a good strategy but actually be able to execute it at this stage of his career?

Morales

No, it helped me tremendously. It helped me tremendously because I showed everybody that not only can I say it but I can still do it and I love it. I love proving people wrong, but obviously, the reality is that we’re here to do things right and we’re here to do strong things. People always say, “Oh, Erik Morales is old,” and I hear it and I hear it and I hear it, but one thing is true. When you do things right and you don’t cut corners, things come out. The result is there and you’ll see it on September 17.

Erik, despite being a future hall of famer, the fact is you’ve lost 6 of your last 10 fights, why are you still fighting? Is it the money? Is it the love of the sport, or do you feel that you have something to prove?

Morales

Well, I mean we’ve talked about this. We’ve brought it up. We keep mentioning the same thing, but tell me one fighter that’s just rolled over me and with me being in moment, I mean no issues, no problems, and tell me, tell me one fighter, mention one name that you say, “Okay, he’s done,” that you can indicate that I’m done.

I’m certainly not trying to saying that Erik Morales is done. I’m just wondering why he’s still fighting. What is his motivation at this point?

Morales

Well, the first part is because I know I can do it. I know I can. The second part is I love to do it. It’s just something that, you know, I love doing now. At this point in my career, I’m doing things right. Everything’s falling into place and it’s the love for the sport. I love boxing.

Erik, how much does it motivate you to pull off this victory and give it to your country of Mexico on a very important date like Mexican Independence and becoming the first Mexican to win four titles in four different divisions?

Morales

It’s very important, very motivating to be fighting on this date and for the title against a very tough, strong rival like Lucas, but it’s something that I do because I love it. It’s in my heart, and come September 17, the Mexican people know Erik Morales. They know every time I step into that ring I step in 100 percent. I’m well prepared. I’m trained and I’m willing to give it all. I fight with my heart, dignity, and the love of the sport, and after the fight, I’m ready to celebrate with Mexico.