Catching up with undefeated prospect Victor Morales Jr.

He is 12-0, with 7 KO’s, he just signed with Golden Boy Promotions, is being managed by Los Angeles based Sheer Sports Management and is one of boxing’s hottest prospects.

Vancouver, Washington’s Victor Morales Jr. is red hot and is a fighter to keep an eye on as the undefeated featherweight starts to make his moves towards a world title shot one day.

Maxboxing had a chance to catch up with the friendly, well spoken, 21-year old fighter and get his thoughts on his career and his recent signing with Golden Boy.

Bill Tibbs: Hi Victor, thanks for taking a minute to chat.

Victor Morlaes (Jr.): No problem Bill, thank you.

BT: You recently signed with Golden Boy. That is an exciting step in your career.

VM: It really is. I am really excited to be working with them. I am being managed by Sheer Sports and promoted by Golden Boy and I am really happy how things have worked out. I am especially happy to be working with Oscar De La Hoya, which was a big thing for me as I admired him so much growing up. So, to get a chance to be part of his company is just great, to fight for Golden Boy, it’s fantastic. I always dreamed of fighting for Golden Boy and when I signed with them it was a blessing.

BT: Now, I understand that you had considered going to the 2016 Olympics before turning pro that year but they changed the age?

VM: Yes, it used to be 18-34 and they changed it to 19-40 when they took off the headgear and so I decided to go pro. It wasn’t just me it was a bunch of us just decided we didn’t want to waste another 4 years waiting around for something that wasn’t a guarantee anyway, so it was then I decided to make the jump to the pro’s.

BT: You are based in Vancouver, Washington.

VM: Yes, but boxing and training in Portland also and I also go down to L A for training and sparring to get ready for fights.

BT: You fight at featherweight? That is where you feel best?

VM: Well, I have been taking fights at 128. I had to take those fights but with Golden Boy I will be able to get fights at 126. I feel good at 126, featherweight is a good weight for me but actually after that I will eventually want to move down to 122 when I start to go after a world title; I want to go for a title at junior featherweight. I want to go down from 126 to 122.

BT: What is the biggest thing you have noticed about the change from the amateur game to the pros?

VM: I would say it is quality versus quantity. In the amateur game you only have 3 rounds and it is all at a fast pace and you are working on volume of punches and getting as many shots off as possible to build up the points. In the pro’s, you are also getting off as many shots as possible, and it is also at a high pace, but you are also really being judged on quality of punches and how you are landing. Not just landing the punches but the effect of the punches that land. And, obviously the pace can be different as you fight longer fights. But it is almost like comparing quantity versus quality.

BT: What are your greatest strengths as a fighter?

VM: I would say 3 things – my jab, my feet and my overall boxing IQ. I think those 3 things are making me pretty dangerous as a pro and they did as an amateur as well.

BT: You have been a pro for 3 years, you are 12-0, are you happy where you are in your career?

VM: I really am Bill. I have been with Sheer for about 4 fights and am working with Golden Boy now. Before that my Dad did a lot of the work, moving me around to different places, and everyone has been doing their part and working with me and helping me. I am really happy how things have worked out and where I am in my career.

BT: Thanks for the chat Victor and we’ll keep in touch down the road.

VM: That’d be great. Thank you.