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

Eric Morel
Born
Eric Arturo Morel

(1975-10-01) October 1, 1975 (age 49)
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)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights50
Wins46
Wins by KO23
Losses4
Medal record
Men's Boxing
Representing  United States
Goodwill Games
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Saint Petersburg Light Flyweight

Amateur career

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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

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Flyweight

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"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

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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

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50 fights 46 wins 4 losses
By knockout 23 1
By decision 23 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
50 Loss 46–4 Léo Santa Cruz RTD 5 (12) 2012-09-15 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For IBF bantamweight title
49 Loss 46–3 Abner Mares UD 12 (12) 2012-04-21 Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S. For vacant WBC super bantamweight title
48 Win 46–2 Jose Silveira UD 10 (10) 2011-12-03 Honda Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
47 Win 45–2 Daniel Quevedo RTD 4 (10) 2011-08-13 Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
46 Win 44–2 Luis Maldonado TKO 4 (10) 2011-04-01 Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
45 Win 43–2 Juan Jose Beltran UD 8 (8) 2010-12-11 Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
44 Win 42–2 Gerry Peñalosa SD 12 (12) 2010-02-13 Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won interim WBO bantamweight title
43 Win 41–2 Roberto Bonilla UD 10 (10) 2009-03-28 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
42 Win 40–2 Ricardo Vargas TKO 1 (10) 2008-12-13 José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
41 Win 39–2 Heriberto Ruiz UD 12 (12) 2008-08-30 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental bantamweight title
40 Win 38–2 Jose Garcia Bernal TKO 3 (10) 2008-05-23 Coliseo Antonio R. Barcelo, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
39 Win 37–2 Carlos Valcarcel KO 6 (10) 2008-04-05 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
38 Win 36–2 Felipe Almanza UD 8 (8) 2008-02-08 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
37 Loss 35–2 Martín Castillo UD 12 (12) 2005-03-19 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBA super flyweight title
36 Win 35–1 Juan Alfonso Keb Baas UD 12 (12) 2005-01-29 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Retained NABO super flyweight title
35 Win 34–1 Jesús Rojas UD 12 (12) 2004-03-20 Mario Morales Coliseum, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Won vacant NABO super flyweight title
34 Loss 33–1 Lorenzo Parra UD 12 (12) 2003-12-06 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Lost WBA flyweight title
33 Win 33–0 Isidro García UD 12 (12) 2003-06-28 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Retained WBA flyweight title
32 Win 32–0 Denkaosan Kaovichit TKO 11 (12) 2002-10-12 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California Retained WBA flyweight title
31 Win 31–0 Alex Baba UD 10 (10) 2002-01-11 Coliseo Héctor Solá Bezares, Caguas, Puerto Rico
30 Win 30–0 Jose de Jesus Lopez RTD 8 (12) 2001-06-08 Ho-Chunk Casino, Baraboo, Wisconsin, U.S. Retained WBA flyweight title
29 Win 29–0 Gilberto Keb Baas UD 12 (12) 2000-12-15 Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. Retained WBA flyweight title
28 Win 28–0 Alberto Ontiveros UD 12 (12) 2000-10-07 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA flyweight title
27 Win 27–0 Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym UD 12 (12) 2000-08-05 Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. Won WBA flyweight title
26 Win 26–0 Alberto Ontiveros UD 12 (12) 2000-06-03 DeJope Bingo & Entertainment, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. Retained IBA super flyweight title
25 Win 25–0 Tomás Rivera UD 8 (8) 2000-02-12 Bank of America Center, Boise, Idaho, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 Oscar Arciniega UD 8 (8) 1999-12-04 Equestrian Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Miguel Ángel Granados UD 12 (12) 1999-09-18 Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBA super flyweight title
22 Win 22–0 Francisco Espitia KO 1 (12) 1999-08-06 State Fairgrounds, Columbus, Ohio, U.S. Retained IBA super flyweight title
21 Win 21–0 Lorenzo Trejo KO 4 (8) 1999-06-12 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
20 Win 20–0 Jose Rafael Sosa UD 8 (8) 1999-04-24 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
19 Win 19–0 Ysaias Zamudio TKO 7 (10) 1999-02-17 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Víctor Burgos UD 12 (12) 1998-10-17 Casa Blanca Hotel, Mesquite, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant IBA super flyweight title
17 Win 17–0 Rodolfo Blanco TKO 6 (6) 1998-09-25 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 Julio Cesar Bazan TKO 1 (6) 1998-08-06 Grand Casino Avoyelles, Marksville, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Erdenotsogtyn Tsogtjargal UD 8 (8) 1998-06-13 Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Orlando Malone TKO 8 (8) 1998-05-09 Wisconsin Field House, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Miguel Juarez RTD 1 (8) 1998-03-09 Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Willie Thomas TKO 5 (8) 1998-01-15 Wisconsin Field House, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Manuel Sarabia KO 1 (8) 1997-11-15 Spotlight 29 Casino, Coachella, California, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Carlos Francis Hernandez UD 8 (8) 1997-09-10 Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Mauro Diaz TKO 2 (6) 1997-07-12 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Armando Diaz UD 4 (4) 1997-06-14 Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Jesus Lopez UD 4 (4) 1997-04-12 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Jesus Jimenez Ruiz TKO 2 (6) 1997-04-04 The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Esteban Ayala TKO 2 (6) 1997-03-08 Convention Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 David Chamendis KO 1 (?) 1997-02-12 Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Ruben Romero KO 1 (4) 1997-01-11 Tropicana, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Joseph Salazar TKO 1 (4) 1996-11-30 Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Jose Luis Aguilar KO 3 (4) 1996-10-11 Texas Station, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.

Outside the ring

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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

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  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.
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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