By Ronnie Nathanielsz

The father/trainer of multi-titled champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales - Jose “Olivaritos”Morales - passed away in the early hours of Thursday. He was 60-years-old.

Himself a former boxer, Jose Morales was also the trainer of his son Diego Morales and current contender Ivan Morales.

The elder Morals suffered a stroke on May 18 and remained in a coma for a week. He has lived in Tijuana, a hotbed of boxing in Mexico since 1974.

World Boxing Council President  Mauricio Sulaiman said he received the very sad news of the  passing of former boxer and prestigious trainer Jose "Olivaritos" Morales, just today (Manila Time).

After a short pro boxing career, he established his gym in the Central and North Zone of Tijuana, directing the ways, means and futures of great fighters including: Mauro "Betillo" Gutierrez, Luis Ramon "Yori Boy" Campas, Cesar Bazan, Jorge "Travieso" Arce, Antonio Margarito, Javier "Cobra" Mendoza, Jorge Paez Jr. and of course his sons Erik and Diego Morales, among so many others.

Sulaiman said “We will always remember "Olivaritos" Morales as a person devoted to boxing, but so very much more,  as a great person. That wonderful smile, sparkling sense of humor and that  endless reservoir of  kindness from a handsome man, with a beautiful soul.

The WBC joins Erik, Diego, Ivan and the whole Family in mourning for a marvelous and truly unforgettable man.  Time will pass, but the memories will  last.