By Salvador Rodriguez

Former world champion Erik "El Terrible" Morales has confirmed that he is unable to go forward with a planned welterweight fight on March 22 against Jorge'Maromerito' Paez, which was scheduled to be the main event of a Zanfer Promotions card at the Arena Monterrey in Mexico.

Morales suffered a hand injury during camp. The Tijuana idol went to a doctor, who examined the injury and refused to grant him permission to move forward with the Paez contest. It would have been Morales' first fight in 17 months, after getting knocked out in October 2012 against Danny Garcia in New York.

"I did the relevant evaluations [on the injury] and [the doctor] recommend that I do not fight. There was an injury to the knuckle of the index finger of my right hand. I will try to reschedule the fight. I feel very sad because I was already had eight weeks of preparation. I should rest for at least two months without hitting anything. We'll see what comes. I hope to recover and continue with my plans," said Morales.

Paez will now reportedly fight on the date against rough veteran Breidis Prescott (27-5, 20KOs) of Colombia.