Former three-division World Champion Erik “EL TERRIBLE” Morales (49-6, 34 KOs) held a press conference earlier in the week to formally announce his bout against Willie “Hands of Steel” Limond (33-2, 8 KOs) that will take place on Saturday, September 11 at La Monumental Plaza de Toros in Mexico City, Mexico. Here is what the future Hall of Famer had to say.
On why Morales returned to the ring: “I’m not doing this for economic reasons. I’m not doing this for ego. I just want to come back and do it for the joy of boxing. Reporters want to write. The camera guys want to shoot. Because that’s what you do and that’s what you do best. Fighting is what I do best. Five years as an amateur, 16 years as a professional – this is what I do. Now I want to do it and enjoy it and do it my way.
“The reason why I’m coming back into the ring, being at 49 (wins) and wanting to get to that 50th win, which is a mark all great fighters have, that elusive 50th win.
I found the support with my family. I’m still a young man. I want to go out and do this and everyone. Some may think I’m crazy because you don’t get better as you get older. I’m a young man, but I’m experienced.”
On what fans will see on Sept. 11: “They’ll see a faster, stronger Erik Morales, who is absolutely going to rock the ring and have everybody say, ‘There he is, he never left.’”
On the importance of the date and fight card: “For me, the reason Sept. 11 is so important, this is about Mexican Independence, this is about the Mexican Revolution. It becomes so important in boxing because Mexicans have distinguished themselves in boxing more than any other sport and have produced more world champions and the greatness of the Mexican fighter is renowned. Now, all that comes together, in one night. This event is so big that it requires four promoters to come together and put this together.”
“Mexican Fiesta,” presented by Grupo Empresarial Matiz, is being distributed in the U.S. by Integrated Sports for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on cable and satellite pay-per-view.
EL GRAN MMA CHISME
Chicano Heavyweight Cain Velasquez battles Brock Lesnar at UFC 121
The baddest man on the planet, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, is back in the main event for UFC 121, and unbeaten Cain Velasquez is looking to take his belt and become the first man to knock him out. His opponent at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on October 23, 2010, Cain Velasquez, has already made short work out of the heavyweight division and he promises to make the most of his first shot at the title.
“Throughout fighting history, there has never been a Mexican heavyweight champion, but at UFC 121, Cain Velasquez will try to make history and become the first,” UFC President Dana White said.
“I’m looking forward to getting right back in the Octagon,” Lesnar said. “After the long layoff, my last fight was just an appetizer, I’m still hungry. I’m in great condition and the timing couldn’t be better. Cain Velasquez is undefeated and he’s the legitimate No. 1 contender, but he’s not the guy that is going to take my UFC heavyweight title. It’s not his time; it’s my time. I’m coming to California to defend my crown, and on October 23rd, I’ll be walking out of the Octagon with my hand raised and the belt around my waist. Cain will be leaving with his first loss. It’s as simple as that.”
At 8-0 as a pro, Cain Velasquez (fighting out of San Jose, Calif./8-0) is the 20th fighter to fight for a UFC title with less than 10 professional fights. Of the 19 previous fighters, only four were successful in winning the title and interestingly, all were heavyweight fighters. Much like Lesnar, Velasquez was an outstanding collegiate wrestler, as he was a two-time All-American at Arizona State University. His speed and power may be the keys to a victory over Lesnar, as Velasquez has been very successful in using his athleticism to beat bigger foes throughout his career.
“I feel honored to be fighting for the heavyweight title against Brock,” Velasquez said. “He is a great fighter with a lot of size and is super athletic. This will be a great fight with a lot of action and it means a lot to me to be fighting for the title in L.A., close to my hometown. I will have a lot of people behind me cheering me on.”