Erik Morales Vs. Paulie Ayala

(41-1-0-31 KO’s) (34-1-0-12 KO’s)

By Frank Gonzalez Jr

18.11 - Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Erik “El Terrible” Morales showed the world the difference between a very good fighter and a world-class fighter. The difference is huge. In this fight, the prize was the vacant WBC versions of the Featherweight Title that Marcos Antonio Barrera refused to accept after his controversial win over Morales in June.

Ayala vs. Morales was a mismatch in a sense and yet, a great fight.

Paulie Ayala, of Fort Worth Texas, who ventured up from Super Bantam to Featherweight is no push over. Ayala always comes to fight. He’s been the benefactor of a few generous decisions that make fans wonder why Judges like Paulie so much. An undeniable reason is that Ayala is a busy fighter who fights every round like it’s the only round. Who doesn’t like that quality in a prizefighter? He’s not a big puncher but he punches a lot and is always coming forward, even when he’s getting hit. He has a great chin and a huge heart. Ayala’s one of those fighters that makes the sport attractive to outsiders. Even fans that felt Paulie didn’t deserve decision victories over Johnny Tapia and the first Bones Adams fight has to admit, Ayala is a scrappy fighter that you never want to miss.

Erik Morales is a legend in the making, a hard-hitting featherweight, possibly the best in the division, a stature shared with Marcos Antonio Barrera. He made his bones with a TKO win over the highly regarded Junior Jones in Sept. of 1998. J. Jones had previously beaten M. A. Barrera, twice, once in Nov. of 1996 and again in April of 1997. In Feb. of 2000, he won a controversial decision over Barrera in a historic battle that was considered the ‘fight of the year’ by many. In Dec. of 2000, Erik conquered Kevin Kelly in a TKO 7 victory. Then Erik went on to win a questionable decision against Guty Espadas and in July of 2001 and later went the distance with the brave but light-hitting Injin Chi of Korea. A year later in June of 2002, he had a rematch with Barrera (that he actually won in my opinion) but lost the decision in what reeked of poetic-injustice.

With only 12 KO’s included in his 34 wins, Paulie Ayala is not a KO artist but a good boxer who knows how to win.

Erik Morales had 31 KO’s among his 41 wins coming into this fight and there’s little question that he’s a big puncher.

There were questions about Morales’ struggle to make weight, once again. He seems to torture himself to make weight. He looked dried up and weakened during the official weigh-in. Ayala made the 126-pound weight easily and even looked good doing so. Amazingly, only 24 hours later, Morales weighed 138 lbs. Ayala came in at 139! I have to wonder, why don’t they just fight at Lightweight (135 lbs.) since that’s what they really are. But we all know it’s more complicated than that.

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In the first round, Ayala looked capable, working Morales towards the ropes, where supposedly Erik is not as effective. Morales knew that working the jab from the outside would keep the shorter Ayala following his lead. Morales landed the better punches in round one, which was as competitive as it would be, after that, Morales dominated the out gunned Ayala. Paulie’s strategy of getting Erik up against the ropes didn’t work much after the first round as Morales didn’t cooperate and used his ring generalship to box Ayala from outside, scoring constantly with both hands. It’s not easy to move up in weight and be successful right away. But going up in weight and facing the cream of the class was certainly over ambitious for Ayala.

In the third round, Morales caught Ayala with a big uppercut and rocked him. By the end of the round, Paulie’s left eye was swelling badly. During the breaks, Ayala’s face was battered and swelling while Morales looked relaxed and totally in control. As the fight continued, Morales was so clearly dominate that Ayala was looking frustrated. To Paulie’s credit, he never resorted to illegal tactics. There were no low blows, no warnings for clinching and no head butting. Referee Kenny Bayless probably never refereed such a clean fight before.

By the fifth round, Morales’ superiority was clear. Ayala couldn’t hurt him, he knew it and Ayala knew it. But Paulie never surrendered. He fought like the warrior he is, outclassed as he was. I gained a lot of respect for Ayala’s character watching him lose every round while never losing his will to continue. After absorbing so much punishment round after round, Ayala kept his pace at high speed, albeit ineffective. Morales seemed to take the 11th round off while Ayala did all he could to catch him, without much success. That was the only round I gave Ayala in the whole fight.

In the 12th, I could tell that Morales was saving his energy in the 11th so he could focus on knocking Ayala out in the final round. Paulie took a serious beating in the 12th and was looking hurt. Bayless looked like he might stop the fight late in the round but there were like 13 seconds left and rightly, he let Ayala finish on his feet. Morales pummeled him repeatedly but Paulie never went down. When the final bell rang, I thought they would at least shake hands or even embrace in a show of good sportsmanship, they didn’t. Morales raised his arms in victory and walked away. How could either not respect the other after such a display of courage, honesty, talent and everything that is noble about boxing?

During the post fight interview, Morales credited Ayala for having a big chin and being a warrior. Ayala acknowledged the greatness of Morales, in spite of earlier remarks that Morales’ power was over rated. I doubt Paulie still thinks that.

Morales told Larry Merchant that he is willing to fight Marcos Antonio Barrera a third time if HBO gives him a good deal. He definitely deserves to make millions if any fighter does. Morales is a true champion who fights quality opponents and gives his all in performances that are usually quite memorable. Unlike some HBO fighters who always manage to fight unheralded mandatory fights which are always one sided and absent of drama. If those guys can make five million per, why not pay a man like Morales at least as well? With Morales you at least get a quality show.

Consider Barrera Morales III, both are seasoned veterans in their primes, their skills and styles evolved to peak form. Morales lost the first fight but won the decision, Barrera lost the second fight but got the decision. Maybe next time the decision will go to the real winner? If you can figure who has the edge in the third meeting, I’ll need you next time I go to the racetrack. Barrera has evolved into a boxer-puncher; less exciting than the brawler he once was but more effective at systematically breaking down an opponent-- patiently. Morales has evolved from a brawler into a boxer-puncher, he seems also more patient and precise now.

The Featherweight division is fairly well stocked with talent. There are some dangerous guys other than Morales and Barrera in Juan Manuel Marquez and new kid on the block, Oscar Larios. Then there’s Manuel Medina and Derrick Gainer, who don’t hit so hard but know how to score points and win fights. There’s also guys like Manny Pacquiao and Ratanachai Vorapin who might move up soon and make their splash in the 126 lb. Division.

At 26 years old, I think Morales is ready to move up to 130 lbs. after his next fight with Barrera. There’s nothing left for him to prove at 126. I like Morales chances to beat Acelino Freitas, Joel Casamayor or Steve Forbes. I would love to see how a hot shot like Floyd Mayweather would do against Erik “El Terrible” Morales at 135 lbs. Since Erik weighed 138 lbs. for the Ayala fight, why not just fight at that weight and rock the house in the process?

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Agree or disagree? Send comments to: dshark87@hotmail.com

Morales too strong for gallant Ayala!

By Murali Para

17.11 - In a featherweight division that is, in the eyes of many, as strong as any since the era of Saddler and Pep, last night's contest between Erik "El Terrible" Morales and Paulie Ayala for the vacant WBC title was eagerly anticipated. Coming a fortnight after Barrera-Tapia in the boxing calendar, it was another intriguing clash between multi-weight champions with pound-for-pound credentials. This was Ayala's first proper outing at the 126-pound limit, so Morales was expected to benefit from his size and power at the weight. It was thought that Ayala would need to rely on his intelligent boxing out of the southpaw stance and outwork his opponent. As it turned out, Morales (42-1, 31) triumphed over Ayala (34-2, 12) in impressive fashion in a fight that was highly engaging and entertaining throughout.

Both fighters started tentatively, landing with some shots but missing plenty too. Ayala proved elusive initially and caught many of Morales's blows on his gloves, while Morales got hit a few times with counters. But in Rounds 2 and 3, Morales figured out Ayala's style and began to connect with some very good uppercuts. Ayala for his part put together some impressive combinations as well. The pattern of the fight was quickly established as a tactical but aggressive battle. Morales was most successful when fighting at range - flicking out the jab and looking for the big right hand - while Ayala constantly tried to work his way inside to land his left hooks.

It was in Rounds 6 and 7 that the fight really came alive, with the fighters trading blows in some furious toe-to-toe exchanges. Ayala connected flush with several left hands to the head of Morales, but Morales responded, finishing the 6th with a series of hard, clean shots that had Ayala reeling backwards. This was perhaps a turning point in the fight, as from here on Morales's power became more of a factor - Ayala's left eye was swollen and began to shut. The 7th round was as action-packed as the 6th with some good infighting from Ayala and more big right hands from Morales.

'Never Surrender' was the ideal billing for this encounter as Ayala really did give it everything he
had in the second half of the fight, even though his opponent had the edge on the scorecards and was proving to be the stronger man. The fight reverted to the largely tactical exchanges of the earlier rounds from Round 8 onwards. Ayala connected with several effective body attacks to notch up his share of the points, but Morales was always able to square things up with hard shots thrown from range and behind the jab. And in the last two rounds, Morales simply pulled away, landing the more telling blows, especially in the closing toe-to-toe slugfest.

There was no doubt that the Unanimous Decision in favour of Morales was the proper result when it came (117-111, 117-111, 116-112), though my scorecard tallied with the judge who scored 116-112. The standard of boxing throughout was very good and Ayala did himself no disservice in defeat. Morales meanwhile put on a performance to rival Barrera's against Tapia a fortnight ago. There is renewed doubt as to which of these bitter rivals can claim to be at the head of the class, and yes, there is already talk of Barrera-Morales III. When asked about the possibility of this, Morales simply invited HBO to make him an offer. Barrera-Morales III? Yes, please!