Undefeated former bantamweight champion Abner Mares (24-0, 13 KOs) dominated former two-time world champion Eric Morel (46-3, 23 KOs) over twelve rounds to claim the WBC super bantamweight title on Saturday night at UTEP?s Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. Mares speed and power overwhelmed Morel.
For once all three Texas judges scored a fight correctly by scores of 120-107, 119-109, 119-109. This boxing scribe had Mares winning all twelve rounds.
Morel (smiling before the bell rang – but not for long) opened the bout trying to jab but quickly found himself outworked by the quicker Mares.
(Photo ? Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos /Golden Boy Promotions)
In round two, Mares backed Morel into the ropes and unleashed a five-punch combination. A left hook clipped Morel on the chin stunning him. Mares worked the body in round three with hooks and crosses.
Morel, 36, was still looking for answers but coming up empty. Mares landed another strong right to Morel?s head in round four that again stunned him. Mares continued working the body and head effectively in round five. His volume of punches had Morel on the defensive.
Mares landed a beautiful left to Morel?s liver late in the round. In round six, Morel tried to change the direction of the fight by landing a power shot but came up empty. Mares ignored whatever Morel did and continued his own consistent two-fisted attack. In rounds seven and eight, Mares again landed combinations to the head of Morel. Rounds nine and ten saw more of the same as the game Morel ate some crisp shots.
Mares, 26, coasted a bit in the eleventh round but met Morel in the center of the ring for some furious toe to toe action in round twelve.
Mares respect for Morel was obvious after the fight.
?Morel is a great fighter, a great technical fighter,? Mares said during a interview on Showtime.
The classy Morel went out like a true champion.
?Mares is a great fighter, there?s no doubt about it,? said Morel. ?He?s one of the best fighters I?ve ever fought.?
