Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Erik Morales close for April 16th 2011, MGM Grand

[skel1983]

Sorry just saw 135, can Morales make this weight? Why the hell did he fight Limond who is a 135 lb fighter at 147?

[GAME]

Id be surprised if Morales could make 135. He got owned by Diaz at that weight years ago and has only got worse since. Marquez isnt going to prove anything in this fight but wants to cash in and get another faded name on his record.

A decade ago it would have been a good fight. Morales would give as good as he got and had the edge over Marquez IMO. Juan would try to slow it down but Erik could raise the tempo and win exchanges. Now though he would be too slow and weight drained. Marquez will do exactly what he wants when he wants and finish it in the middle rounds.

[Gandalf]

Good points, Fightnews themselves don't mention any weight. Maybe this is Marquez testing out 140 then? Unless Morales has decided to train properly for a fight of this magnitude and move down to 135? All quite curious.

[bzkfn]

Good points, Fightnews themselves don't mention any weight. Maybe this is Marquez testing out 140 then? Unless Morales has decided to train properly for a fight of this magnitude and move down to 135? All quite curious.

Just to confirm this is at 135...

Juan Manuel Marquez-Erik Morales is Close For April 16 - Boxing News

They mention Morales will be able to challenge for a 4th divisional title. Unless someone is vacating a 140lb belt, then this must be at 135lbs.

Just to touch on what ElTerrible & GAME are talking about, I've had this conversation with ElTerrible quite a few times, and I had Morales a 9 rounds to 3 winner plus the knockdown in that fight with David Diaz. It wasn't even remotely close. That is truly one of the worst decisions I've ever seen.

[Gandalf]

Good points, Fightnews themselves don't mention any weight. Maybe this is Marquez testing out 140 then? Unless Morales has decided to train properly for a fight of this magnitude and move down to 135? All quite curious.

Just to confirm this is at 135...

Juan Manuel Marquez-Erik Morales is Close For April 16 - Boxing News

They mention Morales will be able to challenge for a 4th divisional title. Unless someone is vacating a 140lb belt, then this must be at 135lbs.

Just to touch on what ElTerrible & GAME are talking about, I've had this conversation with ElTerrible quite a few times, and I had Morales a 9 rounds to 3 winner plus the knockdown in that fight with David Diaz. It wasn't even remotely close. That is truly one of the worst decisions I've ever seen.

No, I am in agreement. Morales beat Diaz quite clearly. It wasn't a particularly close fight, though it had its moments.

So, 135. Fair enough, but another gimme fight with no real intentions of pursuing Pacman. I will get off the Marquez crusade then. I wanted to see the fight, but seeing as Marquez is taking easy money fights too, then I cannot defend one fighter over the other.

[Spicoli]

Hate it. Marquez is very much on his a game while Morales has seen it pass him by long ago. I think Marquez will have his way and pin point all night, come about round 7,8 he'll really start to dislike doing it to a fellow great.

I've been one not terribly critical of Manny vs Mosley. While Mosley is not what he was he is far from getting dropped, staggered or just beaten up in any fashion over last few. He's been widely beaten by one of the premier guys in the sport, something Jmm can also say but even then he had him reeling, albeit for a moment. Mora? Who ever choose that 'style' for Shane should be slapped silly.

[:::PSL:::]

I doubt Morales will make 135.

[Master]

This is sad and wrong on so many levels. This should not be allowed unless it is at welterweight.

[SweetPea]

Morales is completely shot and will take a beating. Mid round TKO for Marquez.

[bzkfn]

I doubt Morales will make 135.

Just to clarify this, the fight will be at 135 but they're talking April 9th now instead of 16th.

Erik Morales Wants Marquez Fight at The Lightweight Limit - Boxing News

[MMASUX]

Bad fight, i think Marquez stops him in 8-9 rounds. This fight was made strictly on the money it can produce. It would do extremely well in Mexico if thats were they decide to have it. As far as him moving up to prove to Pacquiao that he deserves the fight, i think he realises he's not going to get that fight no matter what. And if he did it would be 2 years down the line, when he is much older. I have no problem with this fight as long as he goes on to fight Soto, or Guerrero at 135 after that. Or jumps up to 140 and fighs some of the guys up there.

[CFH]

This fight is much, much worse than Pac - Mosley. Waaaay more of a mismatch. JMM is a bit past his best IMO, but Morales hasn't been a top-tier fighter for about five years.

[No Contest]

Morales is catching alot of flak, he hasn't lost on this comeback. Sometimes a year or two off is good for fighters, lets them rejuvinate, heal up. I just hope he trains to his fullest then I expect a good fight, but I know Marquez is gonna be pressing from the get go. Can Morales counter and move enough, I dunno...If Morales works his jab Marquez may have more problems than people wanna think. Ala Mayweather.

[JT Rock]

This fight should make a crap load of money and put fanny's ins seats due to the zealous Mexican following that will be turning out and tuning in... Nothing more nothing less..

100% business decesion.

All those groaning about this fight, tell me the last time JMM took a gimme fight? (The sound of crickets will be pretty long on that question)

JMM deserves this fight and this pay day

[Gandalf]

This fight should make a crap load of money and put fanny's ins seats due to the zealous Mexican following that will be turning out and tuning in... Nothing more nothing less..

100% business decesion.

All those groaning about this fight, tell me the last time JMM took a gimme fight? (The sound of crickets will be pretty long on that question)

JMM deserves this fight and this pay day

Did Margarito deserve a final payday is an obvious comparison to make and yet Manny thought he did.

At least Morales is a former great with no tainted scandals on his hands and nothing less than a will to fight.

I am not in favour of it though as I don't want to see Morales hurt. But if anyone deserves a payday, it is Marquez and shame on Manny for avoiding his toughest opponent.

That way the fans could have got something and the fighters too. All we have here is current fighters beating up on nostalgic past fighters. No fun in that really.