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.
| OYE SPONSORED LINKS |
| YOUR
AD HERE Market your product/service to the fast growing demographic of young Latino males throughout the U.S. |
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.
OPEN YOUR EYES
MAGAZINE
THE HOTTEST LATINO MAGAZINE IN AMERICA!
© 2004 Tlahtoani Media Group, LLC
The Latin Magazine featuring
hot Latinas, beautiful Latinas, Latina models, Latin girls, Latin women,
Latin models