Erik Morales couldn't honor his retirement and fights yet again tonight

Former three-weight World champion and sure-fire future hall of famer Erik ‘El Terrible’ Morales (50-6, 35KO’s) returns to the ring tonight in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico for his third fight following his comeback from retirement. In the other corner stands Dominican tough guy Francisco Lorenzo (35-8, 16KO’s), and represents the most difficult challenge Morales has faced since losing for the lightweight title to David Diaz in 2007.

That loss to Diaz was Morales’ fourth consecutive defeat and was the reason he retired, but almost three years later Morales returned to the ring, unable to resist the call of the crowd one more time. Morales is only 34, which although for a lighter weight fighter is fairly old seems much younger than Morales should be. The reason being of course is that Morales has been fighting at the very top level since he was 20 years old.

Lorenzo is far, far less decorated but is tough, has never been stopped and just this year made Jorge Linares work hard for a ten round majority decision, which says volumes about the capabilities of Lorenzo. By no means a stylist, Lorenzo likes to mix it up with his opponents and can take a lot of punishment. The one big factor for his fight with Morales however is the weight.

Francisco Lorenzo has never fought above 130lbs yet tonight against Morales finds himself fighting for the WBC Silver 140lb title. True Morales has also fought most of his career at 130lbs and below but it still doesn’t really justify it. Whilst Morales has been fighting at this new weight (and higher) for a time Lorenzo will make a huge leap and this could well be the deciding statistic in this fight.

Last time out Morales was involved in a mini tear-up with Willie Limond but as reported on Fightfranchise.com still looked solid and hungry for a fight. Nevertheless Limond is far from a World class operator and you have to wonder exactly where  Morales is going with this comeback. The 140lb titleholders aren’t likely to accommodate a match with the Mexican legend, and rematches with his old foes seem unlikely.

All the same Morales chugs on and will eventually find himself in too deep once again and will be reminded why he retired in the first place, although you get the feeling it wont be tonight.

1. Morales vs Lorenzo: El Terrible is El Winner
2. Jorge Barrios out- Lorenzo in against Morales?
3. Erik Morales returns tonight, but what does he have left?