~~~ ESB Box! Writing Championship™ - August - Erik "El Terrible" Morales Tribute~~~

Who says dashing, gallant heroes are a thing of the past, or perhaps never were? Viciously seizing glory in the ring, graciously raising his conqueror’s hand in his own twilight, Erik “El Terrible” Morales looked and lived the part of that vanishing specimen, the honorable gladiator.

Boxing inspires the best in a young boy: to transcend your humble origins, to develop into the guy who saves the day, to win glory but only with honor, to buy your mother a house, and inspire the children to call out your name.

He became a frightful attack machine, defeating opponent after opponent. He stopped the unstopped champion, and beat the best men of his era. In boxing, you conquer yourself and you must conquer another, equally-hungry man’s will. “El Terrible” knew what it took and thrilled audiences while overcoming rivals with his technical, fierce craft. Never satisfied, he always looked to the next summit, claiming three different belts in three different weight classes.

Perhaps defeat shows more of a man than constant victory, and when time caught up with “El Terrible”, he was promptly courteous and respectful in acknowledging his opponent and his own shortcoming. Never a showboat, never an ego trip, the man quietly went about his business, and demonstrated what dashing, gallant heroes are truly all about.

All this I see in the serene look of the winner that is Erik Morales.

 

Morales Dared To Be Great
The Quixotic Dream: Thirty years ago, Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez ruled the junior bantamweight division with an iron fist, defending his title with seventeen consecutive knockouts. many experts assumed that no fighter could ever match the Puerto Rican’s accomplishments. But the one they called "El Terrible" dared to be great. He dared to challenge himself. Gomez proved his greatness by turning out the lights on seventeen consecutive super bantamweight challenger. We watched "El Terrible" do so by going to war with some of the very best fighter of his generation; of any generation.
The Hunger: During his championship reign, "El Terrible" sought to push himself beyond his perceived limits. With millions of pesos in the bank and a guaranteed place in the hall of fame, the self-searching warrior pursued fights with Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor, and Juan Diaz. The Tijuana tough man was insatiably ambitious, taking only the toughest assignments. "El Terrible" Understood that risk is the price of greatness. He dared to be great.
The Epilogue: In the penultimate fight of his career, "El Terrible" finally took a count of ten. His face was unmistably that of a broken fighter. A man who couldn’t (or wouldn’t) play the young man’s gambit anymore. That "El Terrible" was finally beyond his limits is no commentary on his desire. Rather, it proves the earnestness of his search for the frontier of his ability. He continued until he could go no further. He dared to be great.

 

After a fantastically long-winded period of success against the worlds elite followed a string of painful reminders. The disdainful veteran was to take heed of his failing powers, eventually. A man like Erik Morales, a fighter like ‘El Terrible’ would attempt to march without legs. It’s the typical, Mexican warrior attitude, but Erik Morales delivered a little more than your average Mexican…

There was something a bit special about Morales. Your attraction to boxing could be for a number of reasons, but Morales would provide the goods wherever you stood. A small man, but a distinguished figure, Morales had a magnetic demeanour about him. Jet black hair, the looks of an undertaker and a seriousness that never dwindled. He was intense to look at. He would showboat, beat his chest, he would take that chance, salute the fans, just for you. He understood what boxing was about and covered all pillars with his boxing, bravery, fire and modesty. There was a great admiration for his weight-jumping, P4P worthy skill-set, and an even bigger appreciation for his selfless rallies that brought you to your feet.

He was a fighters fighter.

Morales’ career turned into a bit of a car-crash at the end, but you can’t hold it against a man when his instinct tells him to fight on. It was the same instinct that created magic against Barrera and the same instinct that later created failure against Pacquiao, but, either way, it made you care - a rarity indeed.