While most boxers enter the sport because of poverty, world title challenger Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales was brave enough to admit a rather different reason why he’s now into prizefighting.

In an interview from his training camp in California, Morales said his friends made fun of him by calling him a homosexual during their childhood days.

“My uncle was a big fan of boxing so I asked him to teach me how to box. At first we tried using a pair of slippers as our punch mitts,” said Morales as he vividly recalled his younger days.

Instead of getting back at those who teased him, Morales tried his luck in several non-commissioned fights usually held in barrio fiestas within their hometown of Talibon, Bohol until a local promoter noticed his raw talent.

“Those who called me gay before are now my closest friends and they now show me some respect. What I want now is to get the respect of our countrymen and I hope to achieve that in my next fight,” said Morales.

Undefeated in 14 fights, Morales, 22, will battle current World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel of Mexico in a 12-round title fight that is part of ”Pinoy Power 3” card on February 14 (Manila Time) at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada.