Bantamweight
Eric Morel W12 Gerry Penalosa
Wins a vacant interim bantamweight title
Scores: 116-112, 115-113 Morel, 115-113 Penalosa
Records: Morel, 42-2, 21 KOs; Penalosa, 54-8, 34 KOs
AQUI TIENEN UNA EXPLICASION DE UN ANALISTA DE ESPN:
LEAN LO QUE UNA PERSONA QUE VIVE DE EL BOXEO PIENSA DE EL TEMA:
Although Morel, 34, a former flyweight titlist from Puerto Rico, outboxed the slower Penalosa in the early rounds, Penalosa came on very strong in the second half of the fight -- even though he was fighting with bad cuts, one over his left eye and one on his forehead. Both were caused by accidental head-butts in the sixth round, and referee Russell Mora twice stopped the action so the ringside doctor could examine the wounds. But Penalosa soldiered on. He not only finished the fight, but he pressed the action and landed the harder shots over the final several rounds. Still, two of the judges didn't give him the credit he deserved, and Morel walked away with an interim 118-pound belt.
Now, you might ask: Why was the interim title made available when Fernando Montiel, the WBO's titleholder, defended the title on the card? The reason is that this is boxing, silly. Please don't try to use reason. The WBO picked up a sanction fee, and Morel got a belt the cheap way and became the mandatory for Montiel. However, there is no guarantee Morel will get the next shot at Montiel because Top Rank might instead match Montiel with Nonito Donaire, who won the main event and could move up in weight to challenge Montiel in May. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it? Not.