Morales vs Prince Naseem Hamed 126

Naz was a monster hitter. Still, I feel Morales generally knew when it was time to get serious. I suspect Naz would have to really string something together to get rid of Erik, as he's not the kind of guy to get taken out with one shot. Hamed's certainly capable of shaking Morales up every once in a while, but I just don't believe he'd have much success landing in combination when Morales is set on not letting him. Morales was craftier than often given credit for and, obviously, a real tough *******. He'd almost certainly wage war on Hamed from time to time, which is dangerous for anyone, but he seemed the kind of guy who could handle it.

Hamed would hurt him, I just seriously doubt he'd finish him.

 

Lovely post Ribs.

The last part of it is where I seem to land at.

Simply, Naz is the kinda' guy Morales would want to beat up. I doubt he'd keep his form long enough.

 

Again, it's hard to argue.

The styles matchup guarantees one that's hard to pick. Both defensively porous, one awkward, one longer, one a devastating hitter of the highest calibre, the other a proven tough guy with a rock solid head.

If they'd fought when Naz actually fought Barrera, Morales would win just as you described IMO, no doubt in my mind at all.

But at their respective bests at 126? Hamed was sharper, more varied and awkward. A toss-up, although I obviously consider Morales the better and greater fighter.

Funnily enough I'd take Morales to beat Danny Lopez.

 

Yeah, I tend to agree enough to give Erik's whiskers the benefit of the doubt, but you never know with Hamed's power. I think Morales might box him anyways rather than going gung-ho, and if that turns out to be the case, then he wins for the reasons stated imo. Straighter and sharper.

 

I'm caught between Naz stoppage and Morales UD...

Morales is my all time favourite but he tends to brawl more than he should and against someone with Naz's power it could be disasterous, even with his iron chin. Tin_Ribs sums it up perfectly for me, theres always the chance Morales loses it, tries to beat up on Naz and gets caught big time. IF he can keep his head and box I would definitely favour Morales.

 

Cheers man. I can definitely see this. If Barrera's middle classnessness (yes, it's a word) could get his goat, then Naz's persona has to have a good chance. But then again, Morales reigned himself against Pac, last round aside, despite what I was thought was him taking offence at Pac's reputation and being written off so easily. What to believe?

 

Yeah I considered that but that last round? :scaredas: Turning southpaw would open him to more from Naz as well :yep

Besides, Pac's fast feet meant Morales had to outmanoeuvre him and be consistently smart. Naz would be languishing at his distance waiting for an opportunity to present itself so I fancy Morales to press a bit more.

 

Could be that I'm overlooking the Morales temperament. I'd like to think he was smart enough to know when it would be best to just settle down and ride out the dangerous moments no matter how badly he wanted to beat the **** out of Naz, but Morales could certainly be 'less than smart' if the mood struck him. All the same, if you're going to be stupid you had better be tough, and Morales was plenty tough.

 

Erik going southpaw against Pac was the one of the images I kept repeating to myself in my mind with a sad smile after Garcia cleaned his clock at the weekend. :cry:

You're right about Pac's feet, like. I know that him and Naz aren't similar in style, as such, and Manny's fast feet on their own are better than Naz's, but I can see a bit of a shared difficulty in smoothly transitioning from foot to hand and punching with balance on the forward move. Morales spotted this like Marquez imo and that's why Pacquiao was seemingly the one having to give ground when they exchanged. Of course, it meant that Morales had to step in and beat Pac to the punch, and Pac was moving in the opposite direction than what Hamed maybe would be, but it's if Morales can keep his temper and press carefully from range rather than stupidly...

 

Flea, just seen the Morales-Little Red comment. Now that's a fight.op

 

My verdict on Naseem Hamed:

It's a hard one. It could go either way but I'm more in favour of a Morales 114-113 (Morales will obviously get knocked down).

 

If Morales did beat Hamed, it would be by outbrawling him virtue of being technically better and pushing him on the back foot. He wouldn't outbox him, he's too defensively unconscious and lacking in ring generalship for that

With regards to the fight being at 126, I don't see this as a good weight for Morales. A gift against Espadas, life and death against the limited Chi. Ayala, Kelly and Barrera fights made him look better, but consider, Ayala a blown up bantam, Barrera fighting negatively and Kelly past it. Arum also kept him away from tricky fights like Marquez, Gainer and Norwood

I digress, back on point this would be a bombs away war, Morales technically better, Hamed a better puncher, faster and better use of angles

 

Well, 122 El Terrible could just cut a little less weight then

 

Same opinion.

He lost some of his punching power and didn't look as physically imposing at feather as he was at super bantam.

And I'd say the first Barrera fight took it's toll on Morales.

 

Didn't see your post above and was only adding, not trying to dissect :good

As for this; Well, for me, one of my dream fights is actually Naz Vs Little Red. Would be one of the craziest and brutal shoot outs ever I think. Anything could happen but despite the beards involved I'd say the styles guarantee there'd be a brutal finish in there. Both could be hurt, Haned less visibly so but then he never fought the punchers Lopez did.

Straight up stiffness and raw devastation Vs awkward angles and explosive freakazoid punches with a tendency to get knocked spectacularly off balance.

It'd be violent.