ERIK MORALES

In The Ring
With Boxing Champ Erik Morales

PORTRAIT estevanoriol.com

You are a fierce warrior who often slugs it out instead of boxing. Do you ever feel this hurts you?
I think it’s important that people feel and see that a fighter is giving all of himself to his profession, and that’s what I try to do. I try to give the public good fights. When I’m fighting I don’t hold back because I’m thinking of what could go wrong. I do what I can so that fight fans are happy.

So you’re always concerned with what your fans think while you’re fighting in the ring?
Of course.

You’ve fought at 121 pounds and now your up to 130. Are you worried that your power and speed might suffer at this higher weight?
No. I think I’m fine. I’ve been able to handle the others in this division. I think I have the power. I haven’t lost it. I don’t see a problem in at 130-pound level.

You are 5’8”, which is taller than a lot of fighters in the lighter divisions. Is this why you haven’t lost the power, and do you think it’d be possible to go up even more in weight?
Yes. Next year we are going to go up to135 lbs. I don’t expect to have any problems even at 135 lbs.

There’s obviously been bad blood between you and Marco Antonio Barrera. He’s said that you started the whole thing by bad-mouthing him. How did the whole thing start?
Actually, that’s not true. When I was coming up and advancing in 1996, 1997—that was the year when he lost the world title—he was trying to make a come back and he didn’t have anybody to pick on to try to stir up publicity. At the time I was coming up strong, but he didn’t want to fight me. He always tried to ride my coattails and latch on to me in order to have somebody to talk about, to try to survive, since Junior Jones had knocked him out and then beaten him by a decision. I think it isn’t fair. He is the one that started all this. In reality I could care less what he does or doesn’t do. I have my career. I’m doing well. I’m moving forward and I don’t care about what he says or does.

Do you expect to fight him again and when?
Look, my point right now is to fight winners. I want to go against boxers that offer worthwhile fights. If people want to see that fight then I’d be glad to fight him…but I don’t think that’s what people want to see. People want to see Morales vs. Pacquiao or other fighters, but I don’t think they want to see Morales vs. Barrera.

Is it easier to train for a fight when you don’t like your opponent?
It’s always important to prepare yourself well. Being angry is a hindrance. The public deserves the respect of seeing a fighter that is well prepared in order to put on a good fight and win or lose with dignity.

So it doesn’t fire you up more when you’re fighting someone you hate?
Um…really my respect for the public is what motivates me. You can’t afford to lose that respect by coming into a fight ill prepared. You always have to be motivated. People buy a ticket and they deserve to see good fights regardless of whether you dislike your opponent or not. Either way you have to do a good job and work hard. The fighter who needs extra motivation to deliver a good fight shouldn’t be boxing in the first place. He’s just cheating the public.

What are some of the big fighters you’d still like to face in your lifetime, and what else do you hope to accomplish in your career?
I want to go against fighters that are worthwhile, that people want to see. But we’re taking it one step at a time. I’m doing the things that still need to be done in these divisions. We’re doing fine and there’s a lot left to be done. There aren’t any specific names I can give you, but hopefully they will become clear soon, as things progress and fights open up in my division.

What do you consider your biggest strength?
The work I do to prepare for a fight and the effort I put into it.

Which fighter in history do you respect the most?
I can’t really say that there’s anyone I’ve been a fan of.

You’ve been fighting almost your entire life. How long do you plan to keep going?
As long as it takes. As long as I’m doing well. I really haven’t decided how many more years I’ll keep boxing, but believe me however many more years I put into it they’re going to be good years, and I expect to put on good fights.

When you’re in a tough fight and are totally spent, what carries you further, a big heart or your training?
They’re both important. Without one, you can’t have the other. But when things get really tough, what keeps you going is an unexplainable combination of things that goes beyond just heart and preparation.

You’re originally from Tijuana. Where do you spend most of your time and where do you train now that you’ve made it big?
I still live in Tijuana. I’ve always done my training in Mexico City, and I still train in Mexico City. So nothing has changed with me.