MORALES PLANS COMEBACK NEXT YEAR
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 08 Oct 2008
Erik ?El Terrible? Morales who is best remembered for his epic trilogies with Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao and another Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, plans a comeback next year.
That?s what well-known boxing writer Mark Vester of the widely-read site Boxing Scene says. And Morales? return to the ring would probably be in June 2009.
Vester quotes Morales as saying "My plans have not changed. I expect to return to the ring in search of the lightweight world title.?
Morales said ?I will go into a big fight directly, no precautionary fights or against average fighters,"
The former three-time world champion said he "suffered for years making weight at super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight, but all of that is going to pass now that I'm going to lightweight."
In his last fight on August 4, 2007 Morales lost by a unanimous decision in a title fight against WBC lightweight champion David Diaz who was subsequently demolished by Pacquiao via a 9th round stoppage.
Morales had also fought Zahir Raheem in a lightweight tune-up fight before his third encounter with Pacquiao and lost that fight too by a twelve round unanimous decision on September 10, 2005.
After winning his first battle with Pacquiao via a unanimous decision on March 19, 2005 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Morales was hammered into submission in ten rounds by Pacquiao and lost via TKO on January 21, 2006.
In their third and final meeting on November 18, 2006, Pacquiao annihilated Morales in a brutal three-round beating.
Morales pleaded with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for one more chance against Diaz and when he lost, the Mexican legend announced his retirement. But now he says he wants to come back but Arum has made it clear in the past he would not promote Morales and says he doesn?t want to see him get hurt.
Top photo: Erik Morales (R) raises the hand of Manny Pacquiao in victory during their third and final bout in November, 2006.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026