How good (and crazy) the hostility between Morante and Roca Rey!

Reality has shown that what happened at the Santander fair was not the invention of some heartless journalist, but rather the confirmation that, in fact, the relationship between Morante de la Puebla and Roca Rey is not as politically correct as modern standards of coexistence dictate.

Therefore, when Roca was asked if he thought it was a good idea for Morante to replace Cayetano on the July 26th card, the Peruvian bullfighter preferred an excuse that sounded like a synonym for refusal.

The two met again in the bullring of El Puerto de Santa María last Saturday, and there was a scuffle between them over a pass performed by Roca on a Morante bull that the Sevillian understood was not correct (proof of the tense atmosphere) and the younger one responded with that now famous phrase: "Maestro, smoke a cigar slowly."

Morante himself later admitted to this newspaper that Roca told him they would have to talk, but that there wasn't an opportunity during the celebration, and that the two shook hands before being carried out on shoulders as a sign of goodwill. "But we haven't spoken yet," the Sevillian emphasized.

It's clear the matter is trivial and shouldn't go beyond a momentary annoyance, but it seems certain that rivalry, competition, duel, or challenge—whatever you want to call it—does exist, and that's wonderful news for bullfighting.

Not even in their wildest dreams could anti-bullfighting activists have imagined that bullfighting in 2025 would enjoy the vigorous health it boasts today, with queues at the box office for the attraction of two undisputed leaders who, moreover, offer ample reason for conversation over morning coffee.

And that may be the problem: there are two roosters in the same coop, more than enough reason for either of them to become upset over seemingly trivial details.

Rivalry only makes sense when the contenders are similar in conditions and abilities, but this is not the case.

But rivalry only makes sense when the contenders are similar in condition and ability, but this isn't the case. Morante and Roca are similar only in that they both wear bullfighting suits, but they both offer different and distinct bullfighting styles.

Roca is a leader, filling the bullrings and enjoying the enthusiastic support of the public. He is a courageous bullfighter, with admirable courage and boundless dedication; prodigious, spectacular, overwhelming, he risks his life every evening and triumphs with all the honors. A figure of today's bullfighting from the shoes to the montera.

Morante is a genius, a person born to inspire dreams of beauty; a revolutionary, a complete artist, pure emotion, courageous, possessed of prodigious technique and a dazzling capacity for inspiration.

The rivalry between the two is in itself meaningless.

But, of course, Roca Rey reigned alone at the top of the rankings, with no one to challenge him, until the Sevillian's muses finally awakened and he turned bullfighting upside down.

Morante's work is mesmerizing, captivating, and seductive, so addictive that it forces its followers to unconsciously undervalue everything else.

But 'everything else' has its importance in bullfighting. Of course it does. The brilliance of Belmonte and Joselito didn't overshadow the greatness of other great figures. Likewise, Morante's dazzling brilliance doesn't obscure the undeniable greatness of Roca and other heroic companions. They simply bear no comparison.

Perhaps that's why if Roca or someone close to him has thought about challenging Morante, they are mistaken, because they are entering the ring with defeat on their faces.

Morante enjoys the popular fervor that emanates from the worldly gods, and anyone who dares to order him to “smoke a cigar slowly” is lost.

And Roca Rey is today, for his refusal in Santander and for that haughty and arrogant statement from El Puerto. Perhaps Morante was wrong (it seems that the revised Andalusian Bullfighting Regulations allow the Peruvian to dodge the bull), but it's not wise to publicly challenge a genius.

Be that as it may (hopefully, that handshake in the bullring puts an end to a misunderstanding), what good news it is that two leaders are the focus of attention and opinions of fans and spectators; a clear sign of the enthusiastic moment bullfighting is experiencing.