Does Erik Morales have a strong case for???

Been a few years, I think I gave Morales a close win. I believe the bad gash and blood letting did hinder Pac.

 

Same here.

I think the gash made Pac look like he was doing worse than he was. Pac definitely took the last 2 rounds, the 1st and the 3rd. The rest were close. Morales definitely had a better understanding of pace and momentum, when to push the attack and when to retreat.

 

But he did give away the last round. I had it 7-5 but would not blink at 6-6.

 

I don't think he had it in the bag. Morales figured out how to score on Pac, how to counter and time his rushes. However, that doesn't mean he won more rounds. Pac was still very effective at times and definitely rocked the steel-chinned Morales. Many of the rounds were very close. Pac clearly won 1, 3, 11 and 12... and he was winning the round he got cut in (the delay makes it harder to score)...

I still had Morales winning by a round but was surprised it was so close, having not seen it since 2005.

 

Yeah, I thought the commentary was over the top... and I really like Morales.

 

I said at least 6 of the 7, Mosely maybe the only one you couldn't make a case for, and though not top 50 still better regarded than anybody on Morale's resume bar Pac and Barrera. And yes, Chavez Jr certainly in the upper tier of history's greatest fighters and you should know that. Trinidad certainly could be included in there as well.

So? Again, should we bring in all of Morales poor performances at higher weight classes and when he was past prime? Getting stopped by Hopkins and Pac, certainly looks better than getting embarressed by Raheem and losing to the likes of Diaz, Maidana, and Garcia

Whitaker could have been on the slide but was still regarded as the one of the best fighters on the planet like Pac is today. It's a great win, I would stack up there with edging Barrera and a gashed Pac.

 

We still have a case of four great performances against two super great fighters vs 6 great performances against 4 really great fighters. And not to get caught up in the "Super Fights" but Oscar also just has more depth of really good/excellent wins that Morales or very few from this era can approach.

What is credit to be given for Morales efforts against Raheem and David Diaz? These guys aren't living legends like Hop and Pac.

Absolutely, and I spoke highly of some of Morales post prime efforts against quality opponents. But Oscar trumps them as well with the first Mayweather fight and blow out of Mayorga.

 

I like Morales and all, but I don't think there's any argument for putting him above Pacquiao or Mayweather. He has more of a skakey case for third best, which I wouldn't endorse.