Veteran Morales Aims to Teach Young Garcia a Lesson

By Kieran Mulvaney

When Danny Garcia fought his first professional fight, Erik Morales had already retired. He'd had a hugely successful career that included winning world titles in three weight divisions, as well as the adoration of Mexican fight fans and the admiration of followers of the sweet science everywhere.

But Morales, who hung up his gloves in 2007 after five defeats in his last six bouts, couldn’t stay out of action for long. He returned to the ring in 2010, and on Saturday night, he faces Garcia in a junior welterweight title fight. He will be looking to draw on the experience of 59 pro fights to beat back the young man’s challenge.

Among the pick of the crop his lengthy career:

KO11 Daniel Zaragoza, September 6 1997

In his first world title fight, Morales showed the strengths and weaknesses that marked his early career and made him such a popular fighter. The 21-year-old took more punches than he needed to against the game veteran, and his footwork could have done with some refinement, but over the second half the fight, uppercuts and punishing body shots dropped Zaragoza and sent him into retirement.

W12 Marco Antonio Barrera, February 19 2000

Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera - Photo Credit: Will HartThe first fight of Morales’ epic trilogy against Barrera was probably the best, and highlighted both Mexicans’ willingness to stand and trade blows. In an epic see-saw slugfest, Morales survived a knockdown (which he argued was a slip) to eke out a close win.

W12 Manny Pacquiao, March 19 2005

Erik Morales vs. Manny Pacquiao - Photo Credit: Will HartAs Morales aged, he focused less on face-first brawling and more on technique. He used that technique to overcome a still relatively-raw Pacquiao, frustrating the Filipino by jabbing and moving away from the southpaw’s big left hand. It was Pacquiao’s last defeat, and the last win of Morales’ pre-retirement career.

L12 Marcos Maidana, April 9 2011

Erik Morales vs. Marcos Maidana - Photo Credit: Will HartThe transition from young fighter to veteran boxer was in full effect against the hard-hitting Argentinian. Maidana’s fists caused the Mexican’s right eye to grotesquely swell early on, but Morales showed guile, subtle defense and superior technique to outbox the younger man for much of the fight.

Garcia’s hands are much less heavy than Maidana’s, but he is more skilled than the Argentinian. The question is, can he be as skilled as Morales? Will youth be victorious or will experience prevail?

Trainer Kevin Cunningham Breaks Down Alexander’s Welterweight Debut

By Mitchell McMahon

Devon Alexander with trainer Kevin Cunningham - Photo Credit: Ed MulhollandDevon “The Great” Alexander needed to look the part in his welterweight debut against Marcos Maidana. Carrying added weight and anxious to silence the critics, he appeared sharp, classy and lethal while dominating the heavy-handed brawler from Argentina.

Kevin Cunningham, his longtime trainer, noted the changes in Alexander’s mind and body. “Everything was coming out Saturday night. He heard the critics and wanted to put it all to rest.

“Tension drains a fighter,” said Cunningham. “Everyone knows Devon can box, but he’s an aggressive fighter. He wanted to take Maidana out early. I told him, ‘Relax and box. This fight is going to be a lot easier that way. He settled down, and by the 6th round he took over masterfully.”

Alexander looked like a different fighter at 147lbs than the man that tired against Kotelnik, Bradley and Mattysse. He broke Maidana down with crisp, hard punches, showed strong legs and a more sustained, balanced energy level. Only one judge scored a round for Maidana, who looked sluggish at 147.

The tendency for Alexander to overexert himself had been a big problem in the past. Cunningham cites two reasons for the change Saturday: strategy and weight. “I knew with Devon not having to kill himself to make 140, he would step up. We worked on not fighting full-throttle, on changing gears, and it paid off.

“Going into Bradley and Kotelnik, we worked too hard to shed weight. He outgrew his weight just as he broke through at 140. But we were the champ: We couldn’t toss the belts.”

Together, Alexander and Cunningham have won more than 300 amateur bouts, gone 24-1 professionally, 6-1 in title bouts, the lone loss coming to Tim Bradley on tired legs. But criticism is the flip-side of praise, and after three underwhelming bouts, each received their share. Whispers became shouts: Had they stagnated?

Cunningham shrugs it off: “This isn’t my first time at the rodeo. When Spinks unified the belts, I was a genius. We lost the Judah rematch and suddenly he needed a new trainer. That’s just the way it goes.  
“Devon is like my son. He’s been with me since he was 7 years old. When he’s out of boxing, we’ll be as close as ever.”

They plan to face a solid opponent in July, then challenging the winner of Berto/Ortiz in a welterweight showdown. “That’s the logical fight between the two best welterweights not named Floyd or Manny. We aren’t interested in politics. We just want to fight the best, like we always have. And oh man, either one of those--Berto or Oritz--versus Devon 'The Great' Alexander...look out!”

Alexander Greater at 147lbs

By Chuck Johnson

Photo: Ed MulhollandBigger meant better for Devon Alexander in the former junior welterweight champion’s successful 147-pound debut.

Displaying the sharpness and stamina that had been lacking in his recent fights, Alexander was faster and clearly superior Saturday night in overwhelming Marcos Maidana to win a unanimous 10-round welterweight decision.

Read more on HBO.com

CompuBox Analysis: Marcos Maidana vs. Devon Alexander

By CompuBox

For more than two decades the junior welterweights have been among boxing's top weight classes in depth and quality matches. That trend continues Saturday when WBA titlist Marcos Maidana meets former WBC/IBF belt-holder Devon Alexander in an intriguing boxer-slugger encounter.  Alexander is an 8-5 favorite.

Alexander is eager for redemption after back-to-back-to-back struggles against Andriy Kotelnik, Timothy Bradley and Lucas Matthysse while Maidana seeks a dominant performance following his unexpectedly competitive war against Erik Morales and his compelling loss to Amir Khan. Which man will succeed in his quest? Their CompuBox pasts offer the following nuggets:

> Read more CompuBox analysis of Marcos Maidana vs. Devon Alexander on HBO.com

Fans Weigh In: Maidana Will KO Alexander

Marcos Maidana - Photo Credit: Will Hart

Devon Alexander's fight record is marred by only a head butt-filled bout against a top-ranked opponent. And yet, fully 83% of respondents to the HBO Boxing Facebook poll don't think he has what it takes to beat the hard-hitting Marcos Maidana. "Maidana is going to make Alexander quit again," writes Reuben C.  "If Alexander tries to slug it out he's getting KO'd," tweeted @LokWHR. Meanwhile, almost all respondents see Adrien Broner adding another knockout to his pristine record. "Broner will knock Perez out by the sixth," writes @Istahtyou_1.

Here's more of what fans had to say about Maidana-Alexander:

- i like alexander stepping up and taking this fight, of course its dangerous for him due to maidanas power but itll be a good test to see how he can adapt and how much he can handle, if he passes the test then itll get more ppl on his side again, if not i guess hell jus be another skilled boxer who jsut couldnt make it big tim. – J. Slaunwhite (HBO.com)
- Styles make fights. Maidana with iron chin, determination and power, can catch Alexander- more faster, but lacks strong will. - Peter A. (Facebook)
- Broner will win by TKO. Im rooting for Maidana but the only way he wins in St.Louis is by KO. - @LucianoGustini (Twitter)
- Alexander isnt ready for this type of pressure, strength and power!!! Hopefully he trains to boost up his punch resistance and his agility because he will need both and more!! He doesn't have the power to bother Maidana!! - Robert E. (Facebook)
- Maidana does have the power to knock anyone out in the division. For those who look to the Ortiz fight... Who do you think hits harder? Berto or Maidana? I say Berto. But Berto couldn't put Ortiz away.. It all comes down to styles. Ortiz's style made it easier for Maidana to do damage. I think Alexander will be hard to hit and it will be a similar fight to the Khan fight, with the same outcome... Maidana coming up short in a decision. – Harry K. (HBO.com)
- I'm going with Maidana over Alexander. Devon isn't impressive to me at all. I'm also taking the Problem over the Prince - Quinee J. (Facebook)
- If it's Maidana's fight pace, he might KO Alexander. If it's Alexander's fight, he'd box his way to a points decision. - @Kmauri_SM (Twitter)

Disagree? Share your fight predictions in the comments.