Coming up in two weeks, August 4th, is David Diaz defending the WBC lightweight title against El Terrible, Erik Morales.

Morales has lost three fights in a row, and been KTFO twice, so this doesn't seem like exactly the best time to move up a division. Diaz is a tough, crafty southpaw with an outstanding record. The problem is that Diaz has never been in the ring with anyone on Morales' level. If you look at Diaz's record at boxrec, he has never fought anyone. If you look at his last three fights, one was with a guy whose record was 11-10 and another guy who's record was 16-8. Diaz also has only fought once in Las Vegas, he has mostly been a protected fighter, fighting at home in Illinois against handpicked opponents. The best fighter I can see that Diaz has fought is Kendall Holt, and he lost that fight, got KO'd in the 8th.

So you have an interesting fight here, between one guy who appears washed up and another guy who doesn't appear to have walked the aisle yet (i.e. had the big fight) On the one hand, I don't know if Diaz is ready to fight Morales, but on the other is Morales too washed up to be moving up, even to fight Diaz?

It will be interesting to see how the odds go on this one. This is a difficult fight to bet.

I am hoping that Morales can pull it out, but realistically - as we just saw with Gatti - when a guy is done, he's done.

I want to have an opinion, since I'll be in the crowd, but I haven't been able to find any video of Diaz boxing. If I had to pick, I'd probably go Diaz. Morales looked pretty bad the last time he moved up.

How on earth is this a PPV?

I think in this instance, the weight is more Morales' problem than being shot. Although, I do think he's close to being shot if he isn't already.

But I don't know that the guy can be completely be written off since his last loss was to arguably the best fighter in the sport.

But between being on the downside or shot, and moving up in weight, it should be a tough fight for him at best.

I watched Diaz fight since his amateur days when he was beating up on Zab Judah twice. Actually met him back in 1996 and had a long talk with him l. Classy guy with a good head on his shoulders. He always comes prepared to fight and will give his all everytime out. Awkward style,good stamina. Isnt great at anything,no major power,doesnt have fast hands.

Beat Jose Santa Cruz last time out, good win Emanuel Agustus and a few years back and 1996 Olympic Traisl winner Jauquin Gallardo back when Gallardo was on a role. The Morales of old would have given Diaz all he could handle,the current version likely doesnt have enough left in the tank.

there is nothing crafty about Diaz like you stated.

Hes a tough, pressure fighter, not a big puncher, who lacks defense.

I saw his fight with Jose Armando Santa Cruz, and he was losing every round until he got the stoppage.

I dont know if Morales is shot as much as the weight was a problem. He will benifit from moving up. He needs to get back to boxing in this fight though, Diaz is too strong and he can be outboxed.

so can Morales outbox Diaz for 12 rounds? Even if Diaz doesn't have much power, I dont think Morales could last if he got into many firefights w/ a naturally bigger guy, he'd just get worn down...

I'm pulling for Morales, and I think he could outbox Diaz for 12... but I wouldn't put any $$ on Morales.

even so, WAR TERRIBLE!

I hope to God this isnt another Gatti vs Gomez......Would be great if Morales retires with a win.



WAR MORALES!@@@!

I dont think he (Morales) is as shot as Gatti, Gatti got totally destroyd by a journey man (mr. Potatohead) while Morales lost a 3 round war with the p4p top dog and maybe the biggest puncher in the game. I think Morales can take this one cause Im not very impressed by Diaz, he lost every round to Santa Cruz before hitting the jackpot.

I only saw Diaz when he fought Kendall Holt. I didn't see anything that was overly impressive. I think Morales could take this one.

Morales vs. a tough crafty southpaw at 135 is a bad idea.

hes not crafty. He stands right in front of you, hes slow and not hard to hit.

i stand corrected.

agree man

Another thing that makes in interesting is that the WBC is requiring the winner to fight Joel Casamayor, who is currently listed as WBC *interim* lightweight champion.

It would be something if Morales beats Diaz, and then ends his career with a title showdown finally fighting Casamayor?

I have a lot of interest in this fight for some reason. Morales is spent, but it's must see T.V. for me. It is getting 0 hype from HBO.

A lot of people are overlooking this fight IMO. I know Marquez-Vasquez 2 is on the same night for free and if I was home, Id probably watch it instead of the PPV. I think this fight has potential for FOTY. Diaz is a come forward brawler which clashes very well with Morales style. Weather Morales is shot or not, this fight will be very exciting.

if he boxes he does have chance.

I think morales is far from shot, imo making wieght was a major problem fro him his last 2 bouts, u could see it in his face , i dont think pac man really beat him down , making wieght did , he was too weak.
he is 31 , marquez and barrerra are both older than this guy by 2 or 3 yrs i believe.
i think morales will beat diaz without a problem, and then fight cassamayor and make him look like fool, then retires. take that to the bank fellas

If Morales beats Diaz, then fights and beats Casamayor, that would make him the WBC and Ring Lightweight champion. I could just see the other top guys at lightweight licking their chops for a chance at Morales, pulling for Morales to win. Diaz and Casamayor are the two guys Morales has the best shot at beating, and they are both in his path. However, he'd have an extremely difficult time fighting any of the other champions, and matchups against either Juan Diaz or Michael Katsidis are really bad for Morales.

Still, I'd love to see Morales pull out the improbable title win and short reign.

If Morales just boxes then he'll win the fight. But we know he won't. He's going to end up fighting Diaz's fight and will get beaten up. Diaz wants a phone booth fight because that's his style of fighting. He spent the better part of his career at 40. Now, he's campaigning at 35 and I believe he's stronger at this weight. I don't think Morales can hurt this guy. I see Diaz outworking Morales to take a UD.

Here's my opinion: Morales is not shot. With that being said, I think he is still going to lose to Diaz. Everyone's right. Diaz hasn't been through the wars that Morales has been through. But Diaz is hungry. Starving! Morales is going to get drawn into a brawl and will not be able to trade with a bigger man. Even though 135 is easier for Morales to make, he's not used to the power of a guy who made his bones at 140. Say what you want about the Santa Cruz fight, but it's on YouTube. Watch the body work that he put in. You think it was a coincidence that Santa Cruz kept adjusting his shorts and ended up dropping his hands? That body work is gonna wear Morales down. Diaz's KO numbers might be down, but 135 is where he belongs, size wise. I say Diaz in round 8 by stoppage or Morales quitting on the stool.

that could also have something to do with the fact that Santa Cruz throws 100 punches around. He always fades late in fights just like he did against Trejo when he was stopped in the 10th.

[quote name='Coorslight' date='Jul 20 2007, 10:26 AM' post='241865']
: Morales is not shot. about the Santa Cruz fight, but it's on YouTube.

Thanx bro, im gonna check this out

I think Morales is done, but I still love him ! go Morales !

Morales will win