Share

Haskins downs Morales on points

London - Ivan Morales's hopes of joining his two brothers as a world champion were dashed on Saturday when the Mexican suffered a unanimous points defeat by title-holder Lee Haskins in their International Boxing Federation bantamweight clash in Cardiff.

Erik Morales was a four-time world champion, while Diego Morales won the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super flyweight crown.

Ivan, however, rarely looked like completing a family hat-trick at Cardiff's Ice Arena.

Instead Haskins, who is based just across the border with England in the southwest city of Bristol, recorded a comfortable points win on all three judges' cards, with scores of 119-108, 118-110 and 118-110 in his favour.

For Haskins, making his first title defence, it was the vindication he was indeed a true world champion.

The Englishman became champion in unsatisfactory fashion when Randy Caballero was stripped of the title after weighing in five pounds above the 118 lbs bantamweight limit in November.

For months, Haskins -- at 32 some eight years older than Morales -- had to endure the frustration of people saying he had not won his title in the ring.

Morales, the taller of the two boxers, may have had a reach advantage but it was Haskins's early shots that carried the greater power.

But the southpaw's exceptionally low guard always gave Morales hope and the South American landed a few telling blows of his own.

But come the fourth round, there was significant swelling under Morales's right eye.

However, he kept coming forward and in the seventh round was hit by a strong left hand from Haskins but the Englishman, possibly wary of over-committing, did not follow up.

Instead he was happy to dictate a relatively slow pace and stay well ahead on points all the way to the end of the 12th and final round.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE