Eric Morel

Last updated
Eric Morel
Born
Eric Arturo Morel

(1975-10-01) October 1, 1975 (age 48)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
NationalityPuerto Rican
Other namesLittle Hands Of Steel
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 6+12 in (169 cm)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights50
Wins46
Wins by KO23
Losses4
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Goodwill Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 1994 Saint Petersburg Light Flyweight

Eric Morel (born October 1, 1975) is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He is a former World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight (112 lb) champion.

Contents

Amateur career

Morel had an outstanding amateur career, and was the National Golden Gloves Light Flyweight Champion in 1994. He also was a member of the 1996 US Olympic Team as a Flyweight. His result was:

Lost to Maikro Romero (Cuba) 12-24

Professional career

Flyweight

"Little Hands Of Steel" turned professional in 1996 and won his first 33 bouts, including the WBA World Flyweight title with a decision win over Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym in 2000 and the IBA World Super Flyweight title in 1998 against Víctor Burgos. He defended the belt five times with wins over Gilberto Keb Baas, Denkaosan Kaovichit, and Isidro García before losing it to Lorenzo Parra by decision in 2003.

Super Flyweight

He then moved up in weight and took on WBA Super Flyweight title holder Martín Castillo in 2005, but lost a decision. Morel was scheduled to fight Z Gorres for the interim WBO bantamweight title on November 14, 2009, but after the latter's last fight, he (Gorres) suffered a major injury that delayed his boxing career, so the fight was called off. He then returned to the ring against Gerry Peñalosa February 13, 2010; That ended in a win for Eric Morel, lifting the interim WBO bantamweight world championship. [1] He then defeated Juan Jose Beltran December 11, 2010 as a 2-0 record since his return. His next and latest match was against Luis Maldonado April 1, 2011; That now has his record at 3-0 since his return from injury.

Professional boxing record

50 fights46 wins4 losses
By knockout231
By decision233
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
50Loss46–4 Léo Santa Cruz RTD5 (12)2012-09-15MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For IBF bantamweight title
49Loss46–3 Abner Mares UD12 (12)2012-04-21 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.For vacant WBC super bantamweight title
48Win46–2Jose SilveiraUD10 (10)2011-12-03Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
47Win45–2Daniel QuevedoRTD4 (10)2011-08-13 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
46Win44–2Luis MaldonadoTKO4 (10)2011-04-01Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
45Win43–2Juan Jose BeltranUD8 (8) 2010-12-11 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
44Win42–2 Gerry Peñalosa SD12 (12)2010-02-13 Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Won interim WBO bantamweight title
43Win41–2Roberto BonillaUD10 (10)2009-03-28Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
42Win40–2Ricardo VargasTKO1 (10)2008-12-13 José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
41Win39–2Heriberto RuizUD12 (12)2008-08-30Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto RicoWon vacant WBO Inter-Continental bantamweight title
40Win38–2Jose Garcia BernalTKO3 (10)2008-05-23Coliseo Antonio R. Barcelo, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
39Win37–2Carlos ValcarcelKO6 (10)2008-04-05 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
38Win36–2Felipe AlmanzaUD8 (8)2008-02-08 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
37Loss35–2 Martín Castillo UD12 (12) 2005-03-19 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBA super flyweight title
36Win35–1Juan Alfonso Keb BaasUD12 (12)2005-01-29Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto RicoRetained NABO super flyweight title
35Win34–1 Jesús Rojas UD12 (12)2004-03-20 Mario Morales Coliseum, Guaynabo, Puerto RicoWon vacant NABO super flyweight title
34Loss33–1 Lorenzo Parra UD12 (12)2003-12-06Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto RicoLost WBA flyweight title
33Win33–0 Isidro García UD12 (12)2003-06-28 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto RicoRetained WBA flyweight title
32Win32–0 Denkaosan Kaovichit TKO11 (12)2002-10-12 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CaliforniaRetained WBA flyweight title
31Win31–0 Alex Baba UD10 (10)2002-01-11 Coliseo Héctor Solá Bezares, Caguas, Puerto Rico
30Win30–0Jose de Jesus LopezRTD8 (12)2001-06-08 Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, U.S.Retained WBA flyweight title
29Win29–0 Gilberto Keb Baas UD12 (12)2000-12-15Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.Retained WBA flyweight title
28Win28–0Alberto OntiverosUD12 (12)2000-10-07 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA flyweight title
27Win27–0 Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym UD12 (12)2000-08-05 Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.Won WBA flyweight title
26Win26–0Alberto OntiverosUD12 (12)2000-06-03DeJope Bingo & Entertainment, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.Retained IBA super flyweight title
25Win25–0Tomás RiveraUD8 (8)2000-02-12 Bank of America Center, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
24Win24–0Oscar ArciniegaUD8 (8)1999-12-04Equestrian Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
23Win23–0Miguel Ángel GranadosUD12 (12) 1999-09-18 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.Retained IBA super flyweight title
22Win22–0Francisco EspitiaKO1 (12)1999-08-06State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.Retained IBA super flyweight title
21Win21–0Lorenzo TrejoKO4 (8)1999-06-12 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
20Win20–0Jose Rafael SosaUD8 (8)1999-04-24Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
19Win19–0 Ysaias Zamudio TKO7 (10)1999-02-17 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
18Win18–0 Víctor Burgos UD12 (12)1998-10-17Casa Blanca Hotel, Mesquite, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant IBA super flyweight title
17Win17–0 Rodolfo Blanco TKO6 (6)1998-09-25 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
16Win16–0Julio Cesar BazanTKO1 (6)1998-08-06Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, U.S.
15Win15–0 Erdenotsogtyn Tsogtjargal UD8 (8)1998-06-13 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14Win14–0Orlando MaloneTKO8 (8)1998-05-09Wisconsin Field House, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
13Win13–0Miguel JuarezRTD1 (8)1998-03-09 Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, U.S.
12Win12–0Willie ThomasTKO5 (8)1998-01-15 Wisconsin Field House, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
11Win11–0Manuel SarabiaKO1 (8)1997-11-15 Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, U.S.
10Win10–0Carlos Francis HernandezUD8 (8)1997-09-10 Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
9Win9–0Mauro DiazTKO2 (6)1997-07-12 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
8Win8–0Armando DiazUD4 (4)1997-06-14 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0Jesus LopezUD4 (4) 1997-04-12 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Jesus Jimenez RuizTKO2 (6)1997-04-04 The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
5Win5–0Esteban AyalaTKO2 (6)1997-03-08 Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
4Win4–0David ChamendisKO1 (?)1997-02-12 Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
3Win3–0Ruben RomeroKO1 (4)1997-01-11 Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
2Win2–0Joseph SalazarTKO1 (4)1996-11-30 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
1Win1–0Jose Luis AguilarKO3 (4)1996-10-11 Texas Station, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Outside the ring

Shortly after the loss to Castillo, Morel was convicted of sexual assault of a drunken 15-year-old girl and was sent to prison. [2] In July 2007, Morel was granted an early release within 30 days of August 1, 2007 to allow him to serve the remainder of his sentence on extended supervision.

See also

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References

  1. "MOREL BEATS PENALOSA WITH DUBIOUS SPLIT DECISION". The Ring. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. "Morel set to be released from prison". ESPN. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
Sporting positions
Amateur boxing titles
Previous:
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
U.S. Golden Gloves
light flyweight champion

1994
Next:
Juaquin Gallardo
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
José Navarro
NABO super flyweight champion
March 20, 2004 – 2005
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Kahren Harutyunyan
Vacant
Title last held by
Lante Addy
WBO Inter-Continental
bantamweight champion

August 30, 2008 – 2008
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Sakhib Usarov
Minor World boxing titles
New title IBA super flyweight champion
October 17, 1998 – 2000
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Mauricio Pastrana
Major World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA flyweight champion
August 5, 2000 – December 6, 2003
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Fernando Montiel
WBO bantamweight champion
Interim title

February 13, 2010 – 2011
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Alejandro Hernández