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Alfredo Jaime Gómez of Notifight.com (via BoxingScene.com) spoke to 21-year-old Pablo Cesar Cano, the late replacement opponent who has the opportunity of a lifetime this Saturday night when he faces legendary Mexican warrior Erik Morales for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title.
"No doubt Erik is a great fighter, with experience, and he's won many title fights, but I have a hunger to be someone in life and Morales is not invincible. ... I always respect the press, but all I have to say is that I'm ready for a world title fight. I said hello to Erik and I thanked him and my promoter Golden Boy because thanks to them I am here."
Cano (22-0-1, 17 KO) is being given almost no shot by analysts and fans. Those who have not seen Cano, there is some footage available on YouTube. He's a raw talent with great size for his weight, standing six feet tall, but for all the world he appears to be just too underdeveloped in the ring to beat someone like Morales.
But do keep in mind that the Erik Morales we saw battle Marcos Maidana tooth-and-nail in April is not the Morales we saw in his earlier fights on this comeback quest for a world title in a fourth weight class. Morales fought up to Maidana, and I guess you can argue fought down to some others, including Willie Limond and Jose Alfaro. A Cano win over Morales would be up there for Upset of the Year, but I have no doubt he'll give a great effort. It will come down to how much talent he has, and how good Morales is on Saturday.