Longtime top ranked U.S. amateur Roman Morales of San Ardo, California went to Berck Sur Mer, France to take part in the prestigious Four Nations Tournament and came home with the gold medal at 122-pounds, having defeated French National Champion Nordine Ait Ihya in the championship round. Next for Morales may be the leap into the paid ranks as he begins his pursuit of pro gold.
In the final round of the championship bout, Morales found himself trailing in the fight with only seconds remaining. “I started off a little slow, but I picked it up and the fight was pretty interesting,” recounts Morales. “I was down some points, but I knew I had to go forward and do something else. So I was just going all out and giving everything I had. I made the points up and came out with the victory.”
With the 8-7 victory over Ait Ihya, Morales effectively notched the biggest victory in what has been a stellar amateur career. “This is one of my biggest [wins] yet. This one, fighting international and representing the USA, is a pretty big accomplishment,” said Morales.
Morales, one of only two Americans to take home gold, showed the poise and maturity of an experienced veteran in France. “My coach told me to keep in mind that I am going in three points down, so make sure that you score as many points as you can, because you are already down three,” said Morales. “I learned that [the Europeans] don’t like pressure. When I applied pressure, they couldn’t concentrate and they couldn’t work right because they were counter-punchers. If I would throw one punch, they would counter it, so I realized I had to throw a lot of punches and keep going forward to take them out of their game.”
Now Morales is contemplating the move from amateur to pro while mulling over a managerial contract with Repo Ric, known as the biggest hype man in boxing. The Fresno, California-based Repo Ric is looking to add Morales to a stable that already boasts prospects Michael Ruiz Jr. and Guy Robb Jr.
“He’s 5’8 ½” and he goes both ways, left and right,” says Ric, who would have him make his pro debut on January 8th at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California, of Morales. “Any given time, if you watch him, he’ll switch and he doesn’t even realize what he is doing when he’s switching. He’s left and right. He can brawl, he can box and he can fight.”
Repo Ric has been aware of Morales for sometime, as the San Ardo resident would make the trip to Fresno at times for sparring. “I saw his amateur fights, and he’s sparred a lot in Fresno, California. He’s sparred Michael Ruiz, and he was on the same 2008 USA Men’s team with Guy Robb,” says Ric, who has already had preliminary discussions with Goossen Tutor Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions about Morales.
Morales looks forward to making his debut as a professional, and when he does he plans to have his amateur trainer Rodolpho Tapia with him every step of the way. “He is the one that made me into boxing and everything, so I am going to keep him as my professional coach,” says Morales. “There is no way that I would change him. To me, he is one of the best coaches ever and he has taught me so many things and that is who I want to stay with.”
Once Morales makes the move, anyone who has fortunate enough to claim a victory over him as an amateur will eventually have a target on their back as a professional. “I would like to face off with them again,” says Morales. “Any losses I had as an amateur, they weren’t easy losses. I always gave them a good fight, and I know I have my respect in amateur boxing. If they beat me, then I know that they are one of the best, and I want to fight the best.”
Though his success in the amateurs has definitely paved the way for him to find success as a pro, Morales understands it will take hard work and dedication. “I want to make it to the top,” says Morales. “I want to start out good and end up good, without any defeats. Whatever it takes, I am going to do it.”
