Mexican boxing icon Erik Morales has revealed the best opponent that he ever crossed paths with.
Throughout the course of his impressive professional career, ‘El Terrible’ won world titles across four weight classes, becoming the first Mexican fighter in boxing history to accomplish this feat.
He is better known for his memorable rivalries with Manny Pacquiao and countryman Marco Antonio Barrera, facing both of these legendary fighters on three occasions each during his career.
Morales also shared the ring with two-weight world champion Marcos Maidana, who came extremely close to handing Floyd Mayweather the first defeat of his career when they faced each other over a decade ago.
Despite coming up against so many generational greats over the course of his storied career, Morales gave a surprising answer when he was asked in an interview to reveal the best fighter he ever faced – giving the top spot to Junior Jones.
“Junior Jones – This is a tough question. I faced a lot of good boxers in my career, but I think Jones might be the best. He had very good technique. He threw straight, accurate punches. He could punch too. He hurt me in our fight.”
Morales locked horns with Jones in September 1998, stopping the two-weight world champion inside four rounds to successfully retain his WBC super-bantamweight title for the fourth time.
Jones ended his career with a record of 56-6, picking up career defining victories over Marco Antonio Barrera between 1996 and 1997, defeating the Mexican legend to capture the WBO super-bantamweight title, which he successfully defended for the first and only time in their rematch five months later.
