Morales Wants Farewell Fight In Mexico

Mexican boxer, Erik “El Terrible” Morales, wants to fight one last time in his homeland before finally ending a Hall-of-Fame career.

Morales (52 wins, 8 losses), the first Mexican boxer to win titles in four different weight divisions, showed signs of age when he lost by unanimous decision against undefeated boxer Danny Garcia last weekend in Houston.

He actually lost his World Boxing Council light welterweight title on the scales when he came in two pounds over the weight limit.

“I will fight once more in Mexico, my farewell will be in Tijuana later this year. For now, I will take a vacation with my family, and discuss my future. But it is a fact that I will not return for any more fights in the United States,” Morales revealed in a Boxing Scene interview.

Morales is famous for his trilogies with countryman Marco Antonio Barrera and Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

Morales was the last boxer to defeat the Filipino superstar, defeating Pacquiao via unanimous decision when they fought in March 2005.

But Pacquiao won the two subsequent rematches via knockout.

Despite considering retirement after his second loss to Pacquiao, Morales was able to resurrect his career and win the WBC light welterweight belt.

He visibly struggled against Garcia, showing up to the fight out of shape and failing to keep up with his more aggressive opponent.

“I had problems making the junior welterweight limit at Friday’s weigh-in. I was two pounds overweight and I lost my belt, but that’s an indication of my body,” Morales said.

“During the fight with Danny, I couldn’t fight. My body did not respond, and I have to leave boxing,” he added.

WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman has also called on Morales to step away from boxing, saying that the Mexican should “retire and enjoy his family.”

“He should think about it, because he has a beautiful family with children and he must continue being a businessman and a promoter,” Sulaiman said.