WBC Super Flyweight Title on the line at Pechanga
After his KO victory over Edgar Martinez on April 23rd of this year, Ivan Morales was joined in the ring by his mother and two brothers, Diego (L) and Erik (R). Photo: Jim Wyatt
On Saturday, the WBC International Silver Super Flyweight title will be contested at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, CA. The boxers fighting for the belt? Ivan “El Terrible II” Morales (17-0-0, 12 KOs) of Tijuana, B. C., Mexico, the youngest of the three Morales brothers versus the veteran Luis Maldonado (36-9-1, 27 KOs) of Octlan, Mexico.
You often hear, “What an amazing bloodline of boxing Champions and all within one household?” The oldest brother, Erik Morales (52-8-0, 36 KOs), won titles in four different weight divisions. Next in line is Diego Morales, aka “Pelucho.” He’s a former World Super Flyweight Champion who finished his career in 2005 with a record of 37-2-0, 27 KOs.
A gentleman from the Televisa channel joined Ivan Morales in the ring after his victory over Edgar Martinez on April 23, 2012 at Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Ivan Morales had an outstanding 2011, winning 7 fights with 5 of those wins coming by knockout. Boxing insiders feel he’s now poised to step up in opposition as he takes on the dangerous Maldonado.
After 46 fights, Luis Maldonado has only lost nine times and has a KO percentage of almost 6o%. It’s likely, he will be the most difficult opponent Ivan Morales has ever faced.
Maldonado has an impressive resume. He fought for the WBO World title against Fernando Montiel and challenged Nonito Donaire for the IBF Flyweight title. Since he’s been in the ring with many of the top fighters of the world, he’ll bring with him a lot of experience and punching power to test the talented but young Morales.
In the Co-Main Event they’re featuring featherweights Julian Ramirez (3-0, 2 KOs) of Los Angeles going up against Noel Mendoza (6-1, with 1 KO) from Phoenix, Arizona.
Ramirez, the former amateur standout, is the nephew of the late former Jr Lightweight Champion Genaro Hernandez. The very popular Hernandez passed away last year after battling cancer. Ramirez has great skills and tremendous power. He had a spectacular amateur career with 73 wins and only 5 losses, as well as winning the National PAL Championship four times, a Junior Olympic title and the Mexico Games championship. They say he has all the tools to become a World Champion.
On the undercard:
On Saturday, September 8, 2012, one of Fallbrook, CA’s favorite sons, Jorge Porras of the Porras Boxing Gym will be making his long anticipated professional debut. Photo: Jim Wyatt
Featherweight Cesar Martinez of Los Angeles (3-1, 1 KO) will be facing Jorge Porras of Fallbrook, CA who had an extensive Amateur career with many local fights in LBC 44.
Then in the heavyweight division, the have Razvan Cojanu who lives in Los Angeles (4-1, 1 KO) taking on Yohan Banks of Redwood City, CA (5-6-3, 3 KOs).
The 25 year-old Cojanu is originally from Romania. He’s a big guy who stands 6’ 7½” tall and weighs in the range of 260 to 265 pounds. His opponent, Banks, is 37 years-old and usually weighs in the vicinity of 260 and 277 pounds.
Daniel Perez Gonzalez of Bellflower, CA (2-1, with 1 KO), another heavyweight, will face Francisco “Javier” Diaz of Murrieta, CA (2-6, 2 KOs).
Gonzalez, who is 6’ 6” tall and a southpaw, has fought at weights of 268 to 281 pounds. His opponent, Diaz, is six foot, fights orthodox and usually weighs between 218 and 231 pounds. Since Diaz hasn’t won a bout in almost seven years, my money’s on Gonzalez.
In the Jr. Lightweight division, Aaron Acevedo of Bellflower, CA (2-0-1, 2 KOs) will take on Juan Sandoval of San Bernardino, CA (5-10-1, 3 KOs). Sandoval has lost his last four fights. All three of Acevedo’s fights came in 2012, in March, June and his last one was on August 14th against Angel Torres (2-10-2).
With a further look at that Morales family tree, we discover:
- José “Olivaritas” Morales, a 1970s boxing contender, is Erik’s father and manager. Over his illustrious career, he trained Erik, Jorge Arce, Jose Luis Castillo and Yory Boy Campas to greatness.
- Erik, one of the most loved Mexican boxers of all time, is a four division world champion
- Diego, Erik’s brother, was a world Super Flyweight champion
- and now Ivan, an undefeated Super Flyweight, will likely become a top Bantamweight.
