First WBC champion in four divisions: Erik Morales
Today, September 1st, is the birthday of the first WBC champion in four divisions, Erik Morales (52-9, 36KO).
Erik Isaac Morales Elvira is undoubtedly one of the most complete, competitive and successful champions that Mexico has ever produced, and one of the few Mexicans to be crowned world champion in four different divisions…also the only one who has done so by winning World Boxing Council titles.On September 1, 1976, Erik was born in the north of Tijuana, Baja California, the son of former boxer José “Olivaritos” Morales and Sra. Isabel Elvira. Erik was an atypical child, who had a ring as a cradle and at the age of five, they put him to boxing against a young man twice his age. That was his first defeat, but also the first step to 144 amateur fights with only 9 defeats.
He finished school as one of the best students in Baja California and the Governor awarded him a scholarship. He distinguished himself as an excellent basketball player and soccer player, but he was determined to be a boxer.
On March 29, 1993, at 17 years and six months, Erik debuted by knocking out José Orejel in two rounds. The advantage he had over his rivals was great, because in the amateur field, he polished his technique by training with figures such as Lupe Pintor and Mauro “Betillo” Gutiérrez, who encouraged him to debut. Seven victories in 1993, his first year of professional.
In 1994 he got into the ring six times, he won all of them, and on December 19, 1994 against José “Pepillo” Valdés, he conquered the “Mundo Hispano” Super Bantamweight belt endorsed by the World of the World Boxing Council, 28-year-old Valdés, who registered 49 wins, declared previously in an interview: -if that child beats me, I will retire- and so it was, as Erik knocked him out in three rounds. This fight is considered the most important of his career for what it meant.
In 1995, he contested the national super bantamweight title with the third-ranked world champion and national champion Enrique Jupiter, who had a record of 27 wins and 5 losses, and upon his arrival in Tijuana he vainly tried to belittle Morales. Erik for the only time in his career, declared that he was going to knock him out in six rounds and he fulfilled it and immediately debuted in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 14, 1995 against Juan Luis Torres, winning from him the NABF super bantamweight belt.
With 26 bouts won; including wins over former world champions Héctor Acero Sánchez, and Kenny Mitchell, Erik signed with promoter Bob Arum and made his way into the big leagues. On September 6, 1997 at the Country Coliseum in El Paso Texas, he had his first shot at an absolute title against Daniel Zaragoza, 39 years old, who had held the belt since 1995. At age 21, “El Terrible” won by knockout in round 11 and obtained his first world title, the World Boxing Council super- bantamweight title. Erik successfully defended his crown seven times, including once over double former world champion Junior Jones, on September 12, 1998 at the Tijuana Bullring.
His eighth defence was against Northern Irishman and former champion Wayne McCullough, whom he outpointed in 1999. Erik faced World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera on February 19, 2000 in Las Vegas. After 12 intense rounds Morales won a split decision and at age 23, he was considered the best fighter at super bantamweight and starred in “The Fight of the Year.”
Erik rose to featherweight and on September 2, 2000, with a 7-round TKO over Kevin Kelley, he won the WBC interim title, and on February 17, 2001, against Guty Espadas Jr, won the absolute featherweight title. His WBC second title in his fabulous career.
On June 22, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Morales and Barrera met again. Erik appeared to win more rounds, but the decision went to Barrera. There were 41 triumphs for the Pride Of Tijuana, before losing undefeated record and the featherweight title of the World Council. On November 16, 2002, he regained the WBC featherweight crown that had been vacated. He then made two successful defences.
On February 28, 2004 he won his third absolute world belt, now the super featherweight of the World Boxing Council against Jesús “El Matador” Chávez and became the second Mexican to be crowned undisputed monarch in three different weights. On November 27, 2004 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Nevada, Érik defended his WBC super featherweight title to Marco Antonio Barrera in a fast-paced match that closed the trilogy considered one of the best of all time. Like the other two, the fight it was unrelenting and close. The combat ended with scores of 114-114 113-115 and 114-115 for Barrera.
Érik stepped into the ring of the MGM Grand in La Vegas, Nevada, to fight at super featherweight, with the Filipino Manny Pacquiao, who had just knocked out Barrera and tied with Juan Manuel Márquez. “El Terrible” provided what was his best boxing display. Pacquiao was aggressive, but Erik from round two, controlled the action and dominated the fight. In the last round they engaged in a veritable firefight. Morales handed out a boxing lesson and got a clear decision against a superb rival.
Pacquiao would not lose a fight again until 2012. Erik returned to fight two more times with Pacquiao, but was defeated.
On August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago Illinois, he faced David Diaz for the World Boxing Council Lightweight Championship, in a close fight. the scores were 114-113, 115-113, and 115-112 for David Díaz.
Erik announced his retirement. However, at 33 years old, he reappeared in March 2010 in Monterrey, with a 147-pound challenge against Nicaraguan José Alfaro, whom he beat and in April 2011 against Argentine Marcos Maidana. Erik suffered a searing blow to his right eye early in the fight that caused great inflammation. Despite having to fight hampered by this for 11 rounds, Erik put up an excellent fight, losing by decision.
Under the banner of Golden Boy Promotions, he returned to the ring on September 17, 2012 in Las Vegas to fight for the vacant super lightweight title of the World Council, against top ranked Pablo César Cano, a replacement of the Argentine Lucas Mathysse who had been injured.
Erik displayed and used his great experience and won by TKO in 10 rounds. The fight was stopped when Cano with a broken cheekbone and a deep cut on his eyebrow could not continue.
Erik became the first Mexican to win four world titles in different divisions, all his belts were Green and Gold.
In June 2014, Erik officially announced his retirement from professional boxing, after losing twice in a row against American Danny García. What an absolutely magnificent career!
Happy Birthday champ!
Article sponsored by HÖRFA