Erik Morales facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Morales and the second or maternal family name is Elvira.

Quick facts for kids Erik Morales
Morales in 2011
Statistics
Real name	Erik Isaac Morales Elvira
Nickname(s)	El Terrible ("The Terrible")
Rated at	Super bantamweight Featherweight Super featherweight Lightweight Light welterweight Welterweight
Height	5 ft 8 in
Reach	72 in
Born	(1976-09-01) September 1, 1976 (age 48) Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	61
Wins	52
Wins by KO	36
Losses	9

Erik Isaac Morales Elvira (born September 1, 1976) is a Mexican former professional boxer. He competed from 1993 to 2012. He is the first boxer born in Mexico to win world championships in four different weight classes. These classes ranged from super bantamweight to light welterweight.

Morales beat fifteen world champions during his career. He is famous for his three fights against fellow Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera. He also had three big fights against Manny Pacquiao. ESPN ranked Morales as number 49 on their list of the 50 greatest boxers of all time.

Morales was welcomed into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2018. This is a special place for the best boxers ever.

Erik Morales' Boxing Journey
Retirement from Boxing
Life Outside the Ring
Political Career
Professional Boxing Record
Exhibition Boxing Record
Pay-per-view Bouts
See Also

Erik Morales' Boxing Journey

Starting His Boxing Career

Erik Morales was born in Tijuana, Mexico. His father, José Morales, was also a boxer. Erik started boxing when he was just 5 years old. He had a great amateur career, fighting 114 times and winning 11 big titles in Mexico.

Morales became a professional boxer at age 16. He won his first fight by knocking out Jose Orejel in two rounds. Between 1993 and 1997, he quickly moved up in the super bantamweight division. He won 26 fights, with 20 by knockout. He beat former champions like Kenny Mitchell and Hector Acero Sánchez. Then, he was ready to fight for his first world title.

Becoming a Super Bantamweight Champion

First World Title Win

On September 6, 1997, Erik Morales was 21 years old. He won his first world title in El Paso, Texas. He stopped WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Daniel Zaragoza in the eleventh round. Zaragoza is now in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

In his first defense, Morales knocked out John Lowey in the seventh round. In his next fight, he knocked out Remigio Molina in the sixth round. On May 16, 1998, he beat former champion Jose Luis Bueno by knockout in the second round.

Big Win Against Junior Jones

In September 1998, Morales had another important fight. He knocked out Junior Jones from the United States. Jones had a strong record against Mexican fighters, with 35 wins and no losses. He had even beaten Marco Antonio Barrera twice. This fight was held in Tijuana, Mexico. Morales knocked out Jones in the fourth round with two strong punches.

In October 1999, Morales fought and beat Wayne McCullough. Morales later said this was one of the toughest fights of his career.

Morales vs. Barrera: The First Fight

In February 2000, Morales fought Marco Antonio Barrera. He won the WBO Super Bantamweight title. This fight is now known as one of boxing's classic matches. Morales won by a close decision that some people disagreed with. Both fighters were cut and bruised. Many thought Barrera should have won because he knocked Morales down in the last round. After the fight, Morales said, "He was a brave fighter, and we both gave it all we had." The Ring magazine called it the Fight of the Year.

Moving Up to Featherweight

After defending his title nine times, Morales decided to move up to the featherweight division. In his second fight at this new weight, he fought former world champion Kevin Kelley in September 2000. Morales knocked Kelley down twice. He then trapped Kelley with many uppercuts, and the fight was stopped. Morales became the Interim WBC Featherweight Champion.

Winning a Third World Title

Morales fought again in 2000, knocking out Rodney Jones in the first round. In February 2001, he fought Guty Espadas Jr., who held the WBC Featherweight title. Espadas Jr. had won thirteen fights in a row. Morales won a close decision after twelve rounds. This made him a three-time world champion in his second weight division.

In July 2001, Morales defended his title against In Jin Chi from South Korea. Morales was the stronger puncher and outworked Chi for most of the fight.

Morales vs. Barrera: The Second Fight

Morales lost for the first time in his 42nd professional fight. He lost a close decision to Marco Antonio Barrera in June 2002. This was a rematch of their first fight. Morales pushed forward and seemed to win the first half of the fight. He was cut above his eye. Barrera fought carefully at first but got stronger later in the fight. Even though it was very close, Barrera won the fight.

Winning Back the Featherweight Title

Morales came back strong. He won a clear twelve-round decision against former world champion Paulie Ayala in November 2002. This helped him win back the vacant WBC Featherweight title. Morales landed harder punches and dominated the middle rounds.

Morales beat Eddie Croft in March 2003. He knocked Croft down three times and stopped him in the third round. All the boxers on this fight card gave their earnings to "Vamos Mexico," a charity for children.

Later that year, Morales beat Fernando Velárdez. He knocked Velárdez down multiple times, and the fight was stopped in the fifth round.

Moving to Super Featherweight

Morales vs. Espadas Jr. II

In October 2003, Morales fought Guty Espadas Jr. again. This was a rematch of their first close fight. This time, Morales knocked him out in three rounds. After this win, Morales gave up his WBC Featherweight title to stay in the super featherweight division.

Becoming a Three-Division Champion

On February 28, 2004, Morales won the WBC Super Featherweight title. He beat Jesús Chávez by a unanimous decision. Morales knocked Chávez down twice, which even Floyd Mayweather Jr. had not been able to do. With this victory, Morales became the second Mexican boxer to win titles in three different weight divisions. The first was the famous Julio César Chávez.

On July 31, 2004, Morales added another title. He won the IBF Super Featherweight title by beating Carlos Hernández. Morales landed stronger and more accurate punches throughout the fight.

Morales vs. Barrera: The Third Fight

On November 27, 2004, Morales fought Barrera for the third time. This fight was for the WBC Super Featherweight title. Over 11,000 fans came to watch this exciting match. Barrera started fast and hurt Morales early in the fight. Morales came back strong in the second half. Barrera won by a very close decision. Their third fight was again named The Ring Fight of the Year.

Morales vs. Pacquiao: The First Fight

On March 19, 2005, Morales was not expected to win. But he beat the three-division world champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao by a unanimous decision. In the last round, Morales was ahead on the scorecards. He decided to fight aggressively with Pacquiao, even changing his boxing style. When asked why, Morales replied, "Did you enjoy it? That's why."

He later explained that he wanted to give the fans a great show. He said, "I decided to stop myself in front of him in the twelfth round because I wanted to give the public what they deserve."

Moving to Lightweight

Morales vs. Raheem

On September 10, 2005, Erik Morales moved up to the lightweight division. He lost to Zahir Raheem by a unanimous decision. Raheem moved a lot, which made it hard for Morales. Raheem built a lead, but Morales fought back strongly in the eleventh round. However, it was not enough, and Raheem won.

Returning to Super Featherweight

Morales vs. Pacquiao: Fights Two and Three

On January 22, 2006, Morales fought Pacquiao again. Pacquiao won this rematch in the tenth round. He knocked Morales down twice, and the fight was stopped.

They fought for a third time on November 18, 2006. Morales lost by knockout in the third round. After the fight, Morales said, "Maybe it's time I should no longer be doing this." He thought about retiring from boxing.

Returning to Lightweight Again

Morales decided to move back up to the lightweight division. He hoped to win a fourth WBC title. In January 2007, he said he wanted to become the first Mexican fighter to win four WBC titles in different divisions. This would be more than Julio César Chávez's record.

Morales vs. Díaz

On August 4, 2007, Morales fought David Díaz for the WBC Lightweight title. Morales lost a close decision. He knocked Díaz down in the first round, but the judges scored the fight for Díaz. This was Morales' fifth loss in his last six fights. After the fight, Morales announced he was retiring from boxing.

Morales' Comeback

Morales vs. Lorenzo, 2010

In 2009, Morales started saying he would fight again. He wanted to give his body enough rest. He planned to fight as a lightweight.

His first comeback fight was in Mexico in early 2010. He fought José Alfaro.

Fighting at Light Welterweight

Morales vs. Maidana

On April 9, 2011, Erik Morales fought Marcos Rene Maidana. Many boxing experts thought Morales, who was older and fighting in a heavier weight class, had little chance. However, Morales fought very well, like he used to. His eye was badly swollen early in the fight. But Morales fought back and landed strong counter-punches. It was a very close fight. Maidana won by a close decision. This fight was considered a "Fight of the Year" candidate.

Winning a Fourth World Title

On September 17, 2011, Morales won the WBC Light Welterweight Championship. He beat Pablo César Cano. This made Morales the first boxer born in Mexico to win world titles in four different weight classes.

Morales vs. Garcia: Fights One and Two

Morales celebrating with the WBC Silver title, 2010

On March 24, 2012, Morales faced 23-year-old Danny García. This fight was part of the "Puerto Rico vs. Mexico" boxing rivalry. Morales weighed too much for the fight. So, only García could win the championship belt. Morales lost the fight by a unanimous decision.

Morales fought Danny Garcia again on October 20, 2012. Garcia was now the champion. Garcia knocked out Erik Morales in the fourth round. FOX Sports described how Garcia knocked him out: "Garcia blasts Morales with a left hook that launches Morales through the ropes. You can see it in Morales' eyes, he's not getting back up. KO for Garcia."

Retirement from Boxing

In March 2013, Morales said he wanted to fight one more time. He wanted to have a special farewell party for his 20-year career. He said it would be for everyone who supported him: his family, fans, coaches, and doctors. In June 2014, Morales officially announced his retirement. He decided not to have a farewell fight.

Life Outside the Ring

Erik Morales was trained by his father, José Morales. His brothers, Iván Morales and Diego Morales, are also boxers. Diego was a world champion. Erik has four children.

Erik Morales now manages the parks and recreation department in Tijuana. He donates his salary back to the department to help fund it. Morales said, "This is just a way for me to be able to thank the people who have been so good to me all my life."

In May 2015, Morales agreed to train former champion Jessie Vargas for a fight.

In December 2021, it was announced that one of Morales' sons, 23-year-old Fernando, had passed away.

Political Career

In July 2018, Morales won a seat in the Chamber of Deputies (Mexican Congress) for Baja California. He now works in the government committee that focuses on sports.

Professional Boxing Record

Professional record summary
61 fights	52 wins	9 losses
By knockout	36	3
By decision	16	6

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
61	Loss	52–9	Danny García	KO	4 (12), 1:23	Oct 20, 2012	Barclays Center, New York City, New York, U.S.	For WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring light welterweight titles
60	Loss	52–8	Danny García	UD	12	Mar 24, 2012	Reliant Arena, Houston, Texas, U.S.	WBC light welterweight title at stake; only for Garcia as Morales missed weight
59	Win	52–7	Pablo César Cano	RTD	10 (12), 3:00	Sep 17, 2011	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant WBC light welterweight title
58	Loss	51–7	Marcos Maidana	MD	12	Apr 9, 2011	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBA interim light welterweight title
57	Win	51–6	Francisco Lorenzo	UD	12	Dec 18, 2010	Agua Caliente Racetrack, Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC Silver light welterweight title
56	Win	50–6	Willie Limond	KO	6 (12), 2:46	Sep 11, 2010	Plaza Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico	Won vacant WBC Silver light welterweight title
55	Win	49–6	José Alfaro	UD	12	Mar 27, 2010	Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico	Won WBC International welterweight title
54	Loss	48–6	David Díaz	UD	12	Aug 4, 2007	Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S.	For WBC lightweight title
53	Loss	48–5	Manny Pacquiao	KO	3 (12), 2:57	Nov 18, 2006	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBC International super featherweight title
52	Loss	48–4	Manny Pacquiao	TKO	10 (12), 2:33	Jan 21, 2006	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	For WBC International super featherweight title
51	Loss	48–3	Zahir Raheem	UD	12	Sep 10, 2005	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	For vacant WBC International lightweight title
50	Win	48–2	Manny Pacquiao	UD	12	Mar 19, 2005	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant IBA and WBC International super featherweight titles
49	Loss	47–2	Marco Antonio Barrera	MD	12	Nov 27, 2004	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC super featherweight title
48	Win	47–1	Carlos Hernández	UD	12	Jul 31, 2004	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC super featherweight title; Won IBF super featherweight title
47	Win	46–1	Jesús Chávez	UD	12	Feb 28, 2004	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBC super featherweight title
46	Win	45–1	Guty Espadas Jr.	KO	3 (12), 2:58	Oct 4, 2003	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
45	Win	44–1	Fernando Velárdez	TKO	5 (12), 1:02	May 3, 2003	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC featherweight title
44	Win	43–1	Eddie Croft	TKO	3 (12), 2:16	Feb 22, 2003	Plaza de Toros, Mexico City, Mexico	Retained WBC featherweight title
43	Win	42–1	Paulie Ayala	UD	12	Nov 16, 2002	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant WBC featherweight title
42	Loss	41–1	Marco Antonio Barrera	UD	12	Jun 22, 2002	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Lost WBC featherweight title; For vacant The Ring featherweight title
41	Win	41–0	In-Jin Chi	UD	12	Jul 28, 2001	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.	Retained WBC featherweight title
40	Win	40–0	Guty Espadas Jr.	UD	12	Feb 17, 2001	MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Won WBC featherweight title
39	Win	39–0	Rodney Jones	KO	1 (10), 1:02	Dec 9, 2000	Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico
38	Win	38–0	Kevin Kelley	TKO	7 (12), 2:30	Sep 2, 2000	Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.	Won WBC interim featherweight title
37	Win	37–0	Mike Juárez	KO	3 (10), 1:12	Jun 17, 2000	Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
36	Win	36–0	Marco Antonio Barrera	SD	12	Feb 19, 2000	Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC super bantamweight title; Won WBO super bantamweight title
35	Win	35–0	Wayne McCullough	UD	12	Oct 22, 1999	Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
34	Win	34–0	Reynante Jamili	TKO	6 (12), 0:11	Jul 31, 1999	Bullring by the Sea, Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
33	Win	33–0	Juan Carlos Ramírez	RTD	9 (12), 3:00	May 8, 1999	Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
32	Win	32–0	Ángel Chacón	KO	2 (12), 1:50	Feb 13, 1999	Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
31	Win	31–0	Junior Jones	KO	4 (12), 2:55	Sep 12, 1998	Bullring by the Sea, Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
30	Win	30–0	José Luis Bueno	KO	2 (12), 1:19	May 16, 1998	Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
29	Win	29–0	Remigio Molina	TKO	6 (12), 0:14	Apr 3, 1998	Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
28	Win	28–0	John Lowey	RTD	7 (12), 3:00	Dec 12, 1997	Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC super bantamweight title
27	Win	27–0	Daniel Zaragoza	KO	11 (12), 2:59	Sep 6, 1997	County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, U.S.	Won WBC super bantamweight title
26	Win	26–0	Concepcion Velásquez	TKO	8 (10), 1:11	Apr 4, 1997	The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
25	Win	25–0	Robbie Lovato	PTS	10	Nov 29, 1996	Tijuana, Mexico
24	Win	24–0	Pedro Javier Torres	KO	2 (12), 1:50	Oct 12, 1996	Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.	Retained NABF super bantamweight title
23	Win	23–0	Hector Acero Sánchez	UD	12	Jun 7, 1996	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF super bantamweight title
22	Win	22–0	Lee Cargle	TKO	2 (10), 0:11	Apr 22, 1996	Tijuana, Mexico	Retained NABF super bantamweight title
21	Win	21–0	Rudy Bradley	TKO	11 (12), 0:02	Feb 25, 1996	Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF super bantamweight title
20	Win	20–0	Kenny Mitchell	TKO	2 (12), 2:30	Dec 18, 1995	Tijuana, Mexico	Won vacant NABF super bantamweight title
19	Win	19–0	Enrique Angeles	UD	12	Nov 10, 1995	Tijuana, Mexico	Retained Mexico super bantamweight title
18	Win	18–0	Alberto Martínez	TKO	4 (12), 0:42	Sep 9, 1995	Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.	Retained NABF and Mexico super bantamweight titles
17	Win	17–0	Juan Luis Torres	UD	12	Jul 14, 1995	Arizona Charlie's Decatur, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.	Won vacant NABF super bantamweight title
16	Win	16–0	Armando Castro	TKO	10 (12), 1:04	Jun 2, 1995	Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC Mundo Hispano super bantamweight title
15	Win	15–0	Enrique Jupiter	TKO	6 (12), 0:28	Apr 21, 1995	Tijuana, Mexico	Won Mexico super bantamweight title
14	Win	14–0	Ricky Hernández	KO	1 (12), 0:14	Feb 3, 1995	Tijuana, Mexico	Retained WBC Mundo Hispano super bantamweight title
13	Win	13–0	José Valdez	TKO	3 (12), 2:14	Dec 19, 1994	Tijuana, Mexico	Won WBC Mundo Hispano super bantamweight title
12	Win	12–0	Ramón Magana	TKO	2 (10), 1:19	Nov 28, 1994	Tijuana, Mexico
11	Win	11–0	Idelfonso Bernal	KO	3 (10), 0:21	Oct 17, 1994	Tijuana, Mexico
10	Win	10–0	Julio César Cardona	KO	2 (10), 1:01	Aug 22, 1994	Tijuana, Mexico
9	Win	9–0	Isidro Nolasco	PTS	8	Mar 26, 1994	Mexico City, Mexico
8	Win	8–0	Paul Olvera	KO	3 (6), 2:55	Jan 21, 1994	Tijuana, Mexico
7	Win	7–0	Alfonso Mota	KO	2 (6), 1:19	Dec 6, 1993	Tijuana, Mexico
6	Win	6–0	Jaime Abrica	KO	2 (6), 0:03	Oct 22, 1993	Tijuana, Mexico
5	Win	5–0	José Álvarez	UD	6	Jul 26, 1993	Tijuana, Mexico
4	Win	4–0	Marco Tovar	TKO	1 (6), 0:59	Jul 8, 1993	Bullring by the Sea, Tijuana, Mexico
3	Win	3–0	Óscar Maldonado	KO	3 (4), 0:32	May 25, 1993	Tijuana, Mexico
2	Win	2–0	Jaime Rodríguez	KO	2 (4), 1:11	May 7, 1993	Tijuana, Mexico
1	Win	1–0	José Orejel	KO	2 (4), 0:19	Mar 29, 1993	Tijuana, Mexico

Exhibition Boxing Record

Professional record summary
0 fights	0 wins	0 losses

No.	Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round, time	Date	Location	Notes
3	N/A	0–0 (3)	Jorge Arce	N/A	4	Jun 3, 2022	Marcelino Gonzalez Gymnasium, Zacatecas, Mexico	Non-scored bout
2	N/A	0–0 (2)	Orlando Salido	N/A	4	Mar 26, 2022	Mesquite Championship Rodeo, Mesquite, Texas, U.S.	Non-scored bout
1	N/A	0–0 (1)	Mikey Garcia	N/A	4	Jun 23, 2019	E Club Center, San Bernardino, California, U.S.	Non-scored bout

Pay-per-view Bouts

United States
No.	Date	Fight	Billing	Buys	Network	Revenue
1	March 19, 2005	Morales vs. Pacquiao	Coming With Everything	350,000	HBO	$15,700,000
2	January 21, 2006	Morales vs. Pacquiao II	The Battle	360,000	HBO	$16,200,000