By James Slater: Thanks to unbeaten 21-year-old fellow Mexican Pablo Cesar Cano, living legend Erik Morales will still get the opportunity to fight for his fourth “world” title in as many weights on September 17th. Argentine slugger Lucas Mattyhsse pulled out of the “Star Power” show due to a virus, temporarily leaving “El Terrible” without a dance partner in the fight for the vacant WBC 140-pound belt.
Now, with Golden Boy having done their best to find a short notice late replacement, Morales can turn his attention towards the 22-0-1(17) contender from Mexico City.
Last having fought in June, the Rudy Perez-trained (of Marco Antonio Barrera fame) Cano is in shape, say Golden Boy, and he reportedly said “just bring him on,” when the fight with Morales was offered to him. The young fighter has never been in with anyone of Morales’ class and he has never fought outside of Mexico before. Maybe the size of the whole Las Vegas occasion will get the better of Cano?
Perez, however, feels he has the “recipe” needed for beating Morales. Having twice trained Barrera to beat Morales, and also having worked with Marcos Maidana in his recent win over the 35-year-old great, Perez feels he will be able to come up with the perfect game-plan for his young fighter. But it goes without saying how Cano is no Barrera or Maidana.
Cano has been a pro since March of 2006 and his biggest win so far came last June, when he won the vacant NABF 140-pound belt with a split decision win over Oscar Leon. An aggressive, come-forward fighter, Cano will be taking a huge leap in class a week today. But at age 35, and coming off that war with Maidana as he is, maybe Morales will be ready for the taking. Sure, he looked good against “El Chino,” fighting well despite having an eye hammered shut in the early going – but was that fight Morales’ last great effort?
Maybe Cano, with his advantages in speed and reflexes, will be able to pull off an almighty upset next week; possibly ending the career of a legend in the process? It could happen. And Golden Boy have at least come up with a young and unbeaten fighter for Morales. Given the short space of time in which they had to work, the promoters could’ve done a lot worse.
Cano is realistically in a no-lose position. If he loses the fight but acquits himself well, he will get due praise and be able to come again at age 21, while if he wins, he hit’s the jackpot. Not knowing much of anything about the fighter known as “El Demoledor,” it’s tough to make any kind of accurate pre-fight prediction. I have to go with Morales, seeing as how he has every advantage apart from youth.
But does Morales know enough about his upcoming opponent?