By Jose Luis Camarillo, notifight.com

On Tuesday, former three division champion Erik "El Terrible" Morales left the offices of the World Boxing Council, in the Zona Rosa, and went straight to the gym to continue his training. Morales met with the WBC to make a formal request to the sanctioning body to approve his upcoming fight - against Jorge "Hyena" Barrios on September 17 in Las Vegas - for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title.

The current WBC champion Timothy Bradley, has been inactive since winning the title in a unification bout with Devon Alexander in January. Due to an ongoing legal situation with his former promoters, Bradley does not expect to fight until next year.

After the meeting with Morales, the WBC sent a request for approval to its governing board, on the basis that "a former champion has the right to contend for the belt."

Morales expects the WBC's board to approve his request, and for Bradley to get stripped of his belt.

The WBC does not recognize Jorge Arce's claim as being the first Mexican boxer to win four world title in four weight divisions, because one of those titles was an "interim-belt." The sanctioning body will recognize Morales' claim, should the fight get sanctioned for the title.

The WBC's President, Jose Sulaiman, said - "If he wins, he will be the first Mexican to win four absolute titles in four weight divisions. It is a very tough fight. 'Hyena' hits hard. I think it will be a pretty good match because Erik is smart in the ring. "

Morales said - "This fight comes in good time. I'm glad that it's going to happen and we will be able to do something interesting, and go down in history. Barrios is a strong fighter who is always throwing punches straight ahead. He likes to work at a strong pace. I will train for eight weeks in Mexico City."