Morales, Matthysse welcome chance to fight for vacant title

The former world lightweight, featherweight and super featherweight champion is seeking to become the first Mexican-born fighter to win a belt in four weight classes when he faces Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden.

The title is vacant because former champion Timothy Bradley is involved in management issues and was not prepared to defend the belt. The WBC stripped him of his title, and after two unsuccessful attempts to find an opponent for Morales (51-7, 35 knockouts), Matthysse (28-2, 26 KOs) was selected.

The scheduled 12-round title fight will be on the undercard of the main event that pits Floyd Mayweather Jr. (41-0, 25 KOs) against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs).

“If people criticize me for getting this opportunity, I don’t get upset,” Morales said. “If I’m getting this chance because of my past, how is that my fault? Every time I go into the ring, I come to give my best, and this will be no different.”

Morales, 34, gave a good performance in losing to Marcos Maidana on April 9 at the Grand Garden. Good enough, in fact, that when the WBC stripped Bradley of his title, Morales was given a chance to fight for the belt.

“I hear people say Erik Morales is old,” said Morales, who has been training in the high altitude of Mexico City. “But when you do things right and don’t cut corners, the result is there. And I’m confident the result will be there Sept. 17.”

Richard Schaefer, the chief executive officer of Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes Morales, said it was the WBC that gave Morales the chance.

“The WBC ruled the belt was vacant. It wasn’t our ruling,” Schaefer said. “Based on the performances of Erik Morales and Lucas Matthysse, it was worthy of fighting for a world title.”

Matthysse, 28, said despite losing tough decisions to Zab Judah and Devon Alexander in his past two appearances, he’s deserving of a title shot.

“People know I won those fights,” Matthysse said. “Those were bad decisions. I was robbed both times, so I definitely feel I’ve earned this opportunity.”

■ RANDOM TEST — Mayweather Jr. and Ortiz gave urine samples to the Nevada Athletic Commission in advance of their Sept. 17 fight, as part of the commission’s in-training random drug-testing program. The tests cover steroids, diuretics and all banned supplements.

NAC executive director Keith Kizer confirmed that both fighters complied with the commission’s request, and the results are expected early this week.

■ NISHIOKA-MARQUEZ — Tickets are on sale for the Oct. 1 Top Rank fight card at the MGM Grand’s City in the Marquee Ballroom. The card will feature the WBC super bantamweight title fight between reigning champion Toshiaki Nishioka and Rafael Marquez.

Nishioka (38-4-3, 24 KOs) will make his sixth title defense. Marquez (40-6, 36 KOs) is coming off a win over Eduardo Becerrill on July 16 in Mexico.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or at 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.