Erik Morales: "I Want Juan Manuel Marquez in May"

[XaduBoxer]

It's no secret that former three-division champion Erik Morales wants to come out of retirement for a final run in 2009.



The Mexican legend has been retired since a close decision loss to David Diaz in August of 2007. There were quite a few people who felt that Morales did enough to earn the decision against Diaz. The more Morales heard that he should have won the fight, the more he wanted to return. Morales has been winless in his last three ring appearances, which include two brutal knockouts at the hands of Manny Pacquiao


"I want to return in May of 2009 against a top opponent and I want to put on a good performance to show that I still have what it takes to be in the ring again," Morales told NotiMex.


Morales wants to fight fellow Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Morales was last under contract with Top Rank, who no longer want to promote the fight. Top Rank head Bob Arum says that Morales told him after the Diaz bout that he felt a buzzing noise in head after taking some hard punches.


"Top Rank is like a family to me, we worked together for many years, but they no longer want to work with me," Morales said.


Morales has already spoken with Golden Boy Promotions about the possibilty of fighting Marquez. He says the reason Pacquiao beat him was due to his struggles with the weight. He says the Filipino champion did everything to avoid the two of them fighting at lightweight.


"We are in negotiations. In a few weeks will be laying out a summary of our talks. It will be a very anticipated fight. People saw Morales-Barrera, Barrera-Pacquiao, Morales-Pacquiao and Barrera-Marquez. The only thing missing is Morales-Marquez," Morales said.


"I beat Manny and he had two close fights with the Filipino, and a lot of people thought he won. This will be a collision of two guys who beat Pacquiao. Pacquiao claims to be the best in the world, but I don't agree. Although he beat me later on, he never wanted to give me an opportunity to fight him at lightweight - he wanted nothing to do with me there. Making super featherweight killed me."

[SweetPea]

no, no, no, NO!!

Erik Morales is shot. He's done. His tank is on empty.

There's a reason Top Rank doesn't want to work with him anymore, because they know as well as anyone that he's shot.

Juan Manuel Marquez would badly hurt Morales.

[killersheep]

This is a horrible idea and should not be allowed. Morales had his time in the sun and it was good and respectable. Those days are past.

[kingfrnk]

This is a horrible idea and should not be allowed. Morales had his time in the sun and it was good and respectable. Those days are past.

yep, very bad idea for Erik. but i would watch it anyway. HAH theres another thread with the same topic. hmmmmmmm

[Tam Seddon]

I can see Morales getting stopped in the fight. Either way I dont think Marquez will take it, hes on the warpath to fight PAC again. Therefore he will move up in weight etc to keep the fight alive. I want JMM to move up to 140 and fight Hatton if Hatton beats PM.

[Kirkland Laing]

Agree with all the above. Retirement must really kill these guys.

[Gandalf]

Morales has no shot of just coming back and getting Marquez. He's living in fantasy land. If he really wants to come back he needs to it the hard way. But he wont. He wont come back.

[Dark Lord Al]

Eric Morales - " i want money , i want money , errrm i mean Marquez marquez " lol

fight shouldnt happen Eric is running on empty.

[mike_tha_man]

definitely a bad idea. Morales looked soooo shot, and if he gets hurt or comes out looking really, it will not only hurt him but the sport as well. i would just dread being around and hearing about a Legend getting hurt because he just couldn't hang them up. sad actually

[Wayne]

How about Morales versus Castillo?

And I think 140 will be too much for Marquez. Pac is a freak to be able to move up the way he has and most others will not be able to follow suit. I think Hatton eats Marquez's lunch.

[JonnyFolds]

Morales doesn't even have a punchers chance against Marquez. It's hard to believe how old he looks in the ring at times.
I feel bad for him. He is risking his health. Haven't looked it up but I think he has won 1 of his last 5 fights and he's been stopped twice by Pacman. To be honest, I don't even think he could make lightweight now.
IF he took a tuneup fight, at least show us your worth a daam before stepping back into the ring at world champ level. Too many fighters doing that these days. I give RJJ props for beating a few people at least before he take a pop at Calzaghe. It's just what you do.

[C-Lo]

I posted this yesterday! Saddoboxer stole my thunder!!!

[GAME]

Good luck to him I say . Hes washed up but we knew that before his loses to Pac . Raheem owned him and he is not the fighter he was but he is still a legend.

Of the big 5 Id place him at number 2 . Marquez would own him now but Morales would win in his prime

[Majesty]

Morales will win.


Watch.

[Spicoli]

No you don't Erik.....no you don't.