09.08.04 – By Matthew Hurley: In the wake of Erik Morales’ and Diego Corrales’ recent victories, fight fans are salivating at the thought of these two crowd pleasers squaring off against each other. After Diego’s slow, systematic breakdown of Acelino Frietas he emerged as a near terrifying force at lightweight. Tall, rangy and possessing lethal power in either hand Chico has firmly and fiercely reestablished himself as among the best in the game. On the flip side, Morales has never had to reestablish himself. For the past decade, the most under appreciated great fighter in boxing has consistently performed at the highest level. His excellence cannot be overstated in spite of how understated most boxing pundits have accorded his worth. These two simply have to meet.
It would seem that Diego is simply too big for Erik. At nearly six feet and one division higher than “El Terrible”, Corrales represents a daunting challenge for the little man from Tijuana.
Daunting yes, but not overwhelming. Erik has proven time and time again that there is no one tougher in boxing than him. Simply put, Morales is as good as it gets in boxing. Recently I wrote an article about the myth of the best pound for pound fighter. It’s a subjective call and one worthy of friendly debate over a few beers but I remain steadfast in my belief that Erik Morales, not Floyd Mayweather, not Bernard Hopkins and not Antonio Tarver (or whoever, for that matter) is the best fighter in boxing. He has accomplished too much, fought too many world class opponents and provided too many thrills on a consistent level to be ignored anymore. The view from this corner sees nothing but greatness when Erik plies his craft.
And then there’s Corrales.
Diego has always been a fan favorite, but his chin, or his legs, always seemed vulnerable. His beat down at the hands of Floyd Mayweather, in which he hit the mat with alarming regularity raised numerous questions about his resilience; but not his heart. The skinny sonofabitch kept getting up. Personal problems that would eventually lead to a short prison term obviously affected him mentally. It would seem however, after his calm, methodical destruction of power hitter Acelino Freitas that Corrales has finally laid his demons to rest and has his head screwed on tight and secure. Never has he looked so good and so comfortable in the ring than he did against Freitas.
But what happens when Morales dips low and then fires up with that brilliant uppercut? What happens when the fire blazes in Erik’s eyes and he demands a war of machismo? What happens when “El Terrible” simply refuses to go away?
On the other hand, what happens when Chico finally lands that bone crunching right hand on the chin of the smaller Morales? Does Erik’s war weary body finally fold? Or does he eat every shot Diego throws at him and spit them back in defiance as he’s done against every opponent he’s faced in his brilliant career?
Let’s hope these questions are answered in what could be a fight for the ages. It’s a fan’s fight between two fighters who always fight for their fans. There isn’t another fight out there that every hardcore fan wouldn’t be willing to plunk down his money for – knowing that every hard earned nickel spent will be worth it. That’s what Erik Morales and Diego Corrales bring to the table. That’s why they are not only two of the best fighters in boxing but undeniably two of the most exciting boxers in the sport. And that’s why this fight has to be made.
Erik Morales versus Diego Corrales – it’s a fight fans dream.