Does ?El Terrible? have anything left?
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Mar 2010
His finest hour ironically turned out to be his final career victory. Setting aside the debate about Winning gloves, Erik Morales did put on a masterful performance against Manny Pacquiao last March 19, 2005. That night, Morales was simply better. He calls his victory against Pacquiao his greatest accomplishment. He will never get an argument about that statement from anyone.
His legacy is sealed in blood in two of the most compelling fight trilogies in recent history. He may have wound up at the losing end in the final tally against Marco Antonio Barrera and Pacquiao, but fans love him for seeking out the toughest fights and his raw determination and courage. But he closed his career after subsequently losing to Zahir Raheem, Pacquiao twice by KO, and David Diaz.
Filipinos will remember him also for the San Miguel Beer Commercial he shot with Pacquiao where he enters a beer joint with Mexican guitar strains playing and armed with a stare that would make most bar brawlers run for cover.
After a 2 1/2-year layoff Morales returns to the ring this March 27 to campaign as a welterweight and face Jos? ?Quiebra J?cara? Alfaro of Nicaragua for the vacant WBC International welterweight title in Monterrey, Nuevo Le?n, Mexico.
The 33 year old Morales (48W (KO 34)- 6L) does own the bragging rights of being the last man and the only Mexican to beat Pacquiao. He wants to ?pursue the dream? and face the Pacman again. After two and a half months of intense training, the three division world champion claims to be ready and comfortable at welterweight.
The 26 year old Alfaro (23W (KO 20)- 5L) had a short lived reign as WBA lightweight champion, winning the vacant crown in 2007 against Prawet Singwancha of Thailand but losing it in his first defense to Yusuke Kobori of Japan. Alfaro obviously wants to scalp a big name even a faded legend.
The list of boxers making ill-fated comebacks and fighting past their prime is long and miserable. If Morales wins convincingly, boxing can always use another warrior. Filipinos and boxing fans around the world appreciate the fact that he did not run or go into a defensive shell against Pacquiao. Morales did not resort to dirty tactics or make uncorroborated accusations like you know who.
We would like to remember El Terrible at his best. To see him perform at a substandard level would be a great tragedy.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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