José Antonio Morante de la Puebla has decided to reappear next Tuesday, the 23rd, at the Santander fair, having greatly improved from the major depression that forced him to temporarily retire from the bullring on June 7th.
According to his manager, Pedro Jorge Marques, who spoke to this newspaper, the bullfighter has responded well to a medical procedure he underwent in Lisbon and, on the advice of his Spanish psychiatrist, has decided to return to his bullfighting activity.
The bullfighter’s wish is to fulfil around 25 or 30 contracts and finish the season on September 29 at the San Miguel Fair in Seville – he is not planning to announce himself at the Autumn Fair in Madrid – where he is announced alongside Juan Ortega in the farewell of the bullfighter Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza. If the forecasts are met, Morante will fight between 45 and 50 bullfights this season.
Although Morante’s psychological problems have not disappeared, he is responding to medication, is in good spirits and has already participated in bullfights at the Valdefresno, Domingo Hernández and Garcigrande ranches, among others.
This will be Morante’s second comeback this season. He was away from the bullring from March 17 until Easter Sunday in Seville due to psychological problems, and his manager already said that the bullfighter had recovered his enthusiasm and was willing to continue the season.
But it was not possible. On June 7, he announced the suspension of his professional activity for an indefinite period due to a major depression from which he could not recover despite the treatment he received.
Morante’s return is an important incentive for the season, which needs a bullfighter with his unique personality. Although some fairs, such as Bilbao and Albacete, among others, have not counted on him due to the uncertainty of his recovery, he will be present at most of the bullfighting cycles of interest that will be held in the next two months.