Father time has always been an athlete's worst enemy.  Too many greats have stayed past their prime only to taste a bitter dose of reality that hits you like a harsh tequila - you ain't a young man anymore.  Every Mexican knows tequila as much they know Erik "El Terible" Morales.  A living legend in the sport after three wars with Marco Antonio Barrera and being the last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao.  He literally grew up in a boxing gym in Tijuana, Mexico. A pro since the age of 16, built like an ant; narrow and strong.  The man we see today at the age of 35 is a gray shadow of that young boy; but within that dimness still lies the spirit of a warrior willing to enlighten the masses with his grand skills.  Fighting is the craft he has mastered and although his physical attributes aren't what they used to be his superior skills out-weigh his tangible strengths.  His use of angles, counter punches, and the best feints ever in the sport of boxing only flaunt his world class experience.  The loss of speed and power have left him with youth, but his wisdom and ring prowess keep maturing with age.  Sadly, boxers do not age like a fine wine unfortunately, and the doubled edged sword that father time swings reminds elders how cruel it can be in a young man's sport. Along with experience comes downfalls.

This afternoon at the weigh-in in Texas, Erik Morales did not make the agreed contractual weight of 140lbs.  He was 2lbs over.  It is customary to give the fighter an hour to try to shed the remaining pounds if he is over. Erik did not even attempt to try to lose the overage because he was already in a too weakened state; completely dehydrated and drained.  It would deplete any strength he had left and it could seriously effect him for many days including fight night.  Instead, he payed Danny Garcia a 50k fine out of his 1 million dollar purse, and Morales was stripped of his WBC Jr. Welterweight title.  He had this to say afterwards, "I'm not too worried about the belt; the important thing is the fight..."

Strategy or Struggle?  Was he over on purpose to be fresher and stronger?  We learn from history.  Jose Luis Castillo was notorious for failing to make weight. In his much anticipated rematch to Diego Corrales in 2005, he came in heavy and was visibly stronger than Corrales. The result? Castillo KO'd him in the 4th round.  In 2009, Floyd Mayweather Jr. came in 2 pounds heavier against the already smaller Juan Manuel Marquez, and he proved to be much stronger and physically imposing.  The result? A completely one-sided match against the legendary Marquez.  Do you really think Mayweather couldn't make weight with all that "Hard Work!" and "Dedication!" or did he want an advantage?  Is Erik Morales taking a page out of those guys books or is he really struggling to make the weight?  Danny "Swift" Garcia has speed and youth as obvious advantages, so is Erik trying to balance things out by being physically bigger and stronger?

Danny Garcia wrote on twitter: "Papa Morales came in 2lbs over weight, disrespect to the sport, that puts a extra 50k in my pocket!"

Does he feel personally disrespected or has he gained confidence knowing his opponent couldn't even make weight?  Many times that means the opponent is weak and unconditioned. Or it's a trap. There's a lot to learn about Boxing besides the technical aspects.  The mind must be mastered as well.  Legendary trainer, Ray Arcel once said, "..boxing is brain over brawn...if you can't think in the ring, you're just another bum off the street."  Garcia better not come in over confident because it could be possible Morales is already playing mind games.  They say a cunning fox cannot outsmart a skilled hunter; but Garcia better realize which character in the story he is playing.  Is he the Swift hunter or is he the fox that thinks he's smarter than his opponent?  Experience can be a tough lesson learned for Garcia if he is not careful.  The old lion and his wisdom basks in the glory of knowledge that youth seeks to conquer; Erik Morales' vision might be his advantage...

Danger knows full well
That Caesar is more dangerous than he.
We are two lions littered in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible,
And Caesar shall go forth.

-William Shakespeare

Saturday March 24, in Houston, Texas, future Hall of Famer and Mexican Legend  Erik Morales (52-7, 36 KO's) takes on the young and ambitious Philadelphian, Danny Garcia (22-0, 14 KO's) live on HBO.  The undercard features knockout artist James Kirkland (30-1, 27 KO's) vs. Carlos Molina (19-4-2, 6 KO's).

Enjoy the promos....