BOXING ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS FOR SENIORS
Erik Morales
Los Angeles, CA– As a member of the fourth estate, the media, you have the benefit of looking at things from a safe distance. Evidently when one is still getting paid to fight, it is difficult to know, let alone admit that the “prime years” have passed. The history of boxing is awash with those who did not know when to hang up the gloves, and the modern era is no different. Following up Part I from last week here are some more guys who should be retired.
ERIK ”EL TERRIBLE” MORALES IS “TERRIBLE”
Erik Morales (52-9, 36 KOs) has been on a downward slide since beating Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KOs) in 2005. He is 4-7 since winning a close decision against the Pacman, including two stoppage losses to the Filipino icon. Perhaps of greater concern is the fact that Morales compiled an impressive record of 47-2 prior to his first fight with Manny. His only two losses at that point were to fellow Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera (67-7, 44 KOs). Erik has not won since 2011 and is coming off back-to-back defeats (decision & KO) to World 140 lb. champ Danny Garcia (26-0, 16 KOs). Rumors abound that Morales will next face Humberto Soto (61-8-2, 35 KOs). This is a winnable fight for Morales, but what happens if he does? More unneeded punishment?
ERIK HAD CHANCES TO LEAVE ON HIGH NOTE
It’s hard to say exactly when Erik should have stopped fighting, but I’d say handing Pablo Cesar Cano (26-3-1, 20 KOs) his first loss was as good a moment as any. The win came just five months after Erik gave Marcos Maidana all he could handle in a spirited majority decision loss. Erik could have gone out on top, but he too has chosen to fight on.
CHAVEZ SR. SPARMATE JOSE LUIS CASTILLO
Although he would later capture the WBC 135 lb. strap, Jose Luis Castillo (64-12-1, 55 KOs) gained noteriaty as the chief sparring partner for Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. is getting to be what they call “long in the tooth” seeing he turns 40 this year. Jose has not looked all that great in the ring since stopping the late Diego Corrales (40-5, 33 KOs) in the 4th round of the rematch of their 2005 Fight of The Year. Since then Castillo is 11-5 including two losses inside the distance. The level of opposition is no longer stellar as the former champion has been relegated to being a gatekeeper in recent years.
WINS COME ONLY AGAINST STIFF!
He may be able to look good against the Roberto Valenzuela’s (68-65-2, 55 KOs) of the world, but quitting against Alfonso Gomez (23-6-2, 12 KO) in the sixth warrants some red flags. Castillo briefly “retired” after this bout, only to return just three months later against none other than Mr. Roberto Valenzuela. Perhaps the crowning achievement of Castillo’s career was his controversial decision loss to ‘pound for pound’ king Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0, 26 KOs). Many thought Castillo did enough to win the fight, but that was back in 2002. Add the fact that Mayweather had a torn rotator cuff that night, and beat Castillo emphatically. Castillo has been over the hill so long he can’t even see what’s on the other side anymore.
DEMARCUS “SHOULD BE CHOPPED” CORLEY
DeMarcus Corley (39-20-1, 23 KOs) has been a “true” gatekeeper for about a decade now. If you were told “Chop Chop“ has stepped into the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Miguel Cotto (37-4, 30 KOs), Junior Witter (41-6, 22 KOs), Zab Judah (42-8, 29 KOs), Devon Alexander (25-1, 14 KOs), Marcos Maidana (34-3, 31 KOs), Lucas Matthysse (34-2, 32 KOs), and Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KOs) you’d be impressed wouldn’t you? What if I told you the fighter lost to every single one of them? Takes a bit of the luster off the legacy doesn’t it? While Corley has played the upset artist recently against prospects like Gabriel Bracero (22-1, 4 KOs) Paul McCloskey (24-2, 12 KOs) recently, he is simply not a top-level talent. Since losing his last legitimate title bout against Cotto back in 2005, Corley has gone an astounding 10-16. The durable Corley has only been stopped thrice during this down period, but this is not cause for celebration. It’s time for Chop Chop’s career to meet the chopping block…chop chop!
Zak Young