ERIK MORALES

'Erik Isaac Morales Elvira' (born September 1, 1976 in Tijuana, Mexico) is a retired Mexican professional boxer. He is a former world champion at WBC / WBO Super Bantamweight (122 lb), WBC Featherweight (126 lb), WBC Super Featherweight, WBC International Super Featherweight (130 lb), and the IBF Junior Lightweight (130 lb) divisions.

Early life

Morales is of indigenous Amerindian ancestry and had a disadvantaged upbringing. He grew up in poverty in Tijuana. His father and trainer José (also a former fighter) was a struggling gym-owner in the city's industrial zone, but wanted something better for his sons. At the age of five, Morales donned boxing gloves. By the age of 16, in 1993, Morales fought his first professional fight.

Career history

Super Bantamweight titles

In 1997 at the age of 21, he became the first boxer to stop the former WBC world Bantamweight champion and now member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Daniel Zaragoza via knockout in eleven rounds.
In September 1998, in another landmark fight, Morales knocked out former world champion Junior Jones of the United States. Jones went into the battle with a daunting record against Mexican fighters of 35 victories, and no losses, most notably including two victories over the previous champion, Marco Antonio Barrera, in 1996 and 1997. Also noteworthy was that Jones was entering Mexico for the first time to fight, and the fight was held at Tijuana. The fight went on to three contested rounds, before Morales knocked out Jones with two consecutive overhead right crosses in the fourth round.
In October 1999, Morales fought and defeated Wayne McCullough of Ireland, outclassing him throughout the fight.

Morales vs. Barrera II, in 2002.

Morales vs. Barrera I

Main articles: Barrera versus Morales trilogy

In February of 2000, Morales defeated Marco Antonio Barrera to win the WBO Super Bantamweight title, in a fight that is considered one of boxing's classic bouts. Morales won the fight by a split decision.

Featherweight titles

Morales moved up to the Featherweight division. In his second fight at this weight, he fought 33 year-old former world champion Kevin Kelley, in September 2000. Kelley was unable to replicate his performance against Morales. Knocked down in the fifth and seventh rounds, Kelley was finally trapped in that latter round by a flurry of five consecutive uppercuts from Morales. Supported only by the ropes, a sixth uppercut landed, and the fight was stopped. Morales retained his Featherweight title.
Morales fought again in 2000, knocking out Rodney Jones in the first round. In February 2001, he fought Guty Espadas Jr., the WBC world Featherweight champion with a thirteen fight winning streak, and whose father, Guty Espadas Sr., was also a world champion boxer. Morales won a close twelve round decision to claim his third world title.
In July of 2001 Morales defeated In Jin Chi of South Korea and retained his title. Morales then tasted defeat for the first time in his 42nd professional fight when he loss on a unanimous decision against Barrera in June 2002.
Morales bounced back with a dominating twelve round decision victory over former world champion, Paulie Ayala in November of 2002, and subsequent KO victories of Eddie Croft, Fernando Velardez, and, in a rematch of their first close fight, Guty Espadas Jr.. This time Morales knocked him out in three rounds.

Super Featherweight titles

Morales wins the WBC Super Featherweight title in 2004.

On February 28, 2004, Morales captured the WBC Super Featherweight title by unanimous decision over Jesús Chávez. Morales twice knocked down Chávez, which Floyd Mayweather Jr. himself had been unable to do. With the victory he became one of only two Mexican boxers to win a title at three separate weight divisions, the other being the acclaimed Julio César Chávez.
On July 31, 2004, Morales unified his WBC Super Featherweight title with the IBF Junior lightweight version by way of a twelve round unanimous decision over Carlos Hernández.

Morales vs. Barrera III

On November 27, 2004, Morales met Barrera for the third time in a bout for the WBC Super Featherweight title, the judges awarded Morales the loss, with scores of 114-114,114-115,113-115.

Morales vs. Pacquiao I

On March 19, 2005, Morales won another bout when he defeated Filipino boxer, Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision, outlanding Pacquiao in the 12th round.

Morales vs. Raheem

On September 10, 2005, Morales moved up to the Lightweight division and was defeated on points by Zahir Raheem.

Morales vs. Pacquiao II & III

On January 22, 2006, Morales faced Pacquiao in a rematch from their bout ten months before, and was defeated in ten rounds. Pacquiao knockdown Morales twice in the final seconds of round ten and the fight was stopped.
He met Pacquiao for the third time in a non-championship title bout, on November 18, 2006. Morales was defeated by a knockout in three rounds. After the fight, he said "Maybe it's time I should no longer be doing this," said Morales, who sat speechless in his corner for five minutes afterward. "I did everything in camp necessary to win this fight. I didn't win it. It wasn't my night...it just wasn't meant to be."^[1] Asked by Larry Merchant whether he would retire from boxing, Morales offered, "Maybe this is the way to end it. It's a beautiful night, and there's a lot of good people (here in the audience)...it was always a pleasure to give the public great fights."

Morales vs. Díaz and retirement

Morales moved up to the Lightweight division in search of a possible fourth WBC title. During a holiday visit to the Philippines in January 2007, Morales told a local newspaper that he was fighting again but declined to name his next opponent. He stated that he had unfinished business in the boxing ring and was determined to regain recognition as a world champion. He also express his desire to become the first Mexican fighter to win four WBC titles in different divisions and surpass Julio César Chávez's record by campaigning at the Lightweight class of 135lbs. ^[2]
On August 4, 2007, Morales faced David Díaz for the WBC Lightweight title and lost by a unanimous decision at the Allstate Arena. During the post-fight press conference, Morales announced his retirement from boxing.^[3]

Record

Morales' record consists of 48 wins, 34 of these by knockout, and 6 losses.

Outside the Ring

Morales is managed by his father José Morales, and promoted by Bob Arum.
Morales recently opened his own promotional company to assist fellow Mexicans into the sport.

Personal life

Morales separated from his first wife due to her opposition to boxing, and has 3 children with her. He is now married to Andrea Morales (a model and ardent boxing follower). His younger brother, Diego Morales, is also a successful boxer, campaigning at the Lightweight division. Although no longer a resident of Tijuana, Morales retains a loyalty to his birth town and often trains there.

References

1. Sports Illustrated
2. The Philippine Star Sports: ''Retirement not on Morales', Mind'', by Joaquin Henson, January 26, 2007.
3. Morales loses fight, but goes out in style , by Nat Gottlieb, August 4, 2007

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ERIK MORALES

Early life

Career history

Super Bantamweight titles

Morales vs. Barrera I

Featherweight titles

Super Featherweight titles

Morales vs. Barrera III

Morales vs. Pacquiao I

Morales vs. Raheem

Morales vs. Pacquiao II & III

Morales vs. Díaz and retirement

Record

Outside the Ring

Personal life

References

See also

External links

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