David Diaz denies Erik Morales a fourth title

By Scott Shaffer

05/08/2007

David Diaz denies Erik Morales a fourth title

Morales bids farewell to boxing after loss

David Diaz W12 Erik Morales... David Diaz, a 1996 Olympian who was virtually written off while his Olympic teammates Floyd Mayweather, Fernando Vargas and David Reid rocketed to the sport's highest level, got the biggest win of his life on Friday. Diaz fought with an ugly purple swelling under his eye and scored a unanimous decision over Mexican legend Erik Morales in Rosemont, Illinois by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112. Diaz had many excuses to walk away from boxing over the past decade, so tonight's win is certainly one he should savor for the rest of his life. Morales had a glorious career that saw him win world titles at 122, 126 and 130 pounds, but he was unable to capture Diaz's WBC 135-pound belt in the twilight if his career after suffering back-to-back losses to Manny Pacquiao. According to the Associated Press, the boxers knock eacher other down in the early rounds. Morales, a certain Hall of Famer, announced his retirement afterwards. Many fans may not realize this but Morales is actually younger than Diaz, although he has been in many, many more wars.  source: associated press... MORE TO COME FROM MATTHEW AGUILAR @ RINGSIDE