by James Slater – It was a few weeks ago when word first surfaced telling us how all-time great and former three-weight world champion Erik Morales would return to action this year, after having had approx three years out of the ring – yet it was only today, at a press conference in Mexico, that the return of “El Terrible” was made official..
FightNews.com reports how the press conf took place earlier today, and photos from the event show a somewhat slimmed-down (compared to how he looked last year, certainly) Morales posing for photos with his March 27th opponent Jose Alfaro. The fight will take place at 142-pounds (Morales never having previously boxed higher than the lightweight limit, with his August 2007 points loss to then WBC 135-pound king David Diaz being the 33-year-old Mexican warrior’s only fight that high) and the promotion is being billed as “Hope of Fire.”
Fans, though many would have preferred it if the legendary fighter had been able to make his retirement stick, will now be interested to see how much Morales has left. And 26-year-old Alfaro of Nicaragua, a former WBA lightweight titlist, is no “safe” return foe for Morales by any means. Not only is “Quiebra Jicara” the younger man, he is also the natural 135-pounder as well as being a solid puncher. But, knowing Morales, doing things the easy way is just not the Mexican’s style! But will the comeback end as quickly as it starts?
After all the wars – truly unforgettable wars – he’s been involved in in compiling his amazing 48-6(34) pro career, Morales can’t have too much left, surely! Alfaro certainly believes his upcoming rival has seen better days and is ready to be beaten. Hopefully, we won’t wind up seeing a sad sight on March 27th. But what will happen if Morales wins? How many further fights does “El Terrible” plan to have?
Certainly, a vast number of questions will be answered come fight night. For what it’s worth, though it’s hard to make any accurate prediction seeing as how we simply DON’T know what Morales has left in the tank, I have a feeling the younger, perhaps stronger man, will get the win. Could we even see the once great warrior from Tijuana KO’d for what would be only the third time in his 17 year career?
Alfaro, 23-5(20) may be coming in off an October 10th-round TKO loss at the hands of Antonio DeMarco, but it could be he who walks away with a stoppage win in this fight!