A derby match occupies the co-headline slot of the GLORY 44 CHICAGO card as Chicagoan welterweights Richard "Maximus" Abraham (11-5, 4 KO’s) and Daniel ‘La Maquina’ Morales (1-3 as a professional) meet for the first time.
Abraham is the most successful of the pair, being the owner of a five-fight win streak which almost had him in title contention before Antoine Pinto brought the run to an end earlier this year.
Morales had a solid amateur pedigree as both a kickboxer and boxer, but struggled on turning professional and entering the GLORY ranks. He racked up a series of losses, although was perhaps unlucky in at least one of the decisions, and showed quality in his performances throughout.
After heading to the Netherlands for an intensive training period with a top Dutch team he scored his first win in GLORY when he took a decision over the experienced Pawel Jedrzejczyk at GLORY 38 CHICAGO. Now he’s looking to score another win in the same venue.
Following his four-fight win streak, Abraham now finds himself riding a two-fight losing streak, having dropped a decision to the UK’s Jamie Bates in his last outing. In his mind there will be no question of going 0-3 when he steps into the ring to face Morales.
On paper this has the makings of a war: both fighters like to press forwards, both like to use their hands, both are reluctant to ever take a backwards step.
Both fighters drew large amounts of support to their last Chicago appearances, Abraham in particular bringing a big contingent of fans, so the atmosphere should be electric for their duration of their encounter.
GLORY 44 Chicago will be carried live on ESPN3 at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 25.
Tickets for GLORY 44 Chicago and GLORY 44 SuperFight Series are on sale now, available for online purchase at searscentre.com and at the Sears Centre Arena box office.
