This was a mismatch going in, we all knew that weeks ago. And that was before the legendary fight Erik Morales tested positive for a banned substance.  But if the outcome wasn’t surprising, the sudden fashion in which it occurred was.

The barbaric beauty of boxing is that in it’s simplest form it is one on one combat.  On the other hand there are political influences, shaky at best judging, and double standards.  At it’s essence it is two men (or women) trying to put their fist through the opponents head.  On this night Danny Garcia, the 24 year old champion, nearly did that to Erik Morales.

It was evident from the weigh in that Morales, who appeared to have the hoops of Saturn around his waistline, was going to need a spectacular performance to go the distance, let alone win.  Garcia, notoriously a slow starter, pressed the action from the beginning knowing his opponent, over a decade his senior, was not in ideal physical condition.

In the 3rd round Garcia stunned Morales with a sharp right near the end of the round, and midway through round 4, just like he did to Amir Khan, landed a flush counter left hook that ended the fight.  Morales was out from the moment it connected, and received the full Nyquil treatment.  His corner man instantly hopped into the ring to end the punishment.  Obviously there was no need to fight on tonight, and really any other night going forward.

The word legend is vastly overused in our annoying habit of instantly analyzing every (sporting) event literally as it happens, but in this case legend is the perfect description for Erik Morales.  This is not the way you want to see a legend go out.  But in life and in boxing we often don’t get to chose our own demise.  Tonight Erik Morales hopefully entered the ring for the last time.  And Danny Garcia closed a chapter in his career and looks forward to several intriguing possibilities in a loaded 140 pound division.

To the cant miss knockout, props to filthbx of Youtube for the video: