Lee Haskins Faces Ivan Morales In First IBF Title Defense

Cyclone promotions, Channel 5 and Maxi Nutrition, in association with Sanigar Events and Golden Boy Promotions, are proud to present Lee Haskins’ first defence of his IBF bantamweight title against Mexico’s Ivan Morales at Cardiff’s brand new Ice Arena Wales, live on Channel 5, on Saturday, May 14.

Bristol’s favourite son Lee ‘Playboy’ Haskins makes his long awaited first defence of the IBF bantamweight crown against the IBF #13 ranked bantamweight, Ivan ‘Niño Maravilla’ Morales in what is set to be an electric contest.

Former two-time British, Commonwealth and European Champ, Haskins has had to do it the hard way in his rise to becoming World Champion.

Since acquiring the illustrious IBF belt following a frustrating debacle in Las Vegas last November, when then champion Randy Caballero missed the weight by some margin, handing Haskins the title on the scales, the Bristol native has waited patiently for the opportunity to defend his crown in front of his loyal fans.

Saturday May 14 at the impressive new Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff represents Haskins’ chance to show his fans that he has at last lived up to his undeniable potential and is now a fully fledged world champion.

“I’m delighted to be defending my world title in front of my fans at the Ice Arena Wales in Cardiff on May 14 against Ivan Morales,” said Haskins. “To be defending my belt at home in the UK live on Channel 5 is absolutely brilliant, I can’t wait for May 14.

“My opponent Ivan Morales is a young and hungry challenger who comes from a family of champions, so I know I will have to be at my best, its going to be a cracking fight.”

Cyclone Promotions founder Barry McGuigan is excited by this world title contest and predicts a tremendous night of action ahead of World Championship Boxing’s return to Cardiff at the Ice Arena Wales on May 14.

“Lee Haskins versus Ivan Morales is going to be an all-action contest,” said McGuigan. “Both of these guys can really fight and I have no doubt that the fans at the impressive new Ice Arena Wales and the viewers at home on Channel 5 are going to be treated to something really special on May 14.”

In Ivan Morales, Lee Haskins meets a ferocious and determined opponent who also happens to be the younger brother of the legendary former four-weight world champion Erik Morales.

Asked of his thoughts on Ivan Morales’ lineage Haskins remarked, “I might ask for a photo with Erik Morales before the fight, before I beat his brother!”

“Ivan Morales is from Mexican boxing royalty and Lee cannot afford to take this fight lightly,” said Barry McGuigan. “Morales is a proud Mexican boxer who will be heading to Cardiff intent on ripping that belt from Lee Haskins on May 14. We are all very confident that Lee has the skills required to shine on this big occasion live on Channel 5. It’s all set to be a tremendous contest.”

The younger Morales is desperate to add another world title belt to the vast family collection.

“I feel grateful to my team and Golden Boy Promotions for the opportunity to fight for the IBF bantamweight world championship,” said Ivan Morales.

“Fighting for a world title has been my dream and now I am going to show the world who Ivan Morales is as a fighter. I feel very prepared for this opportunity, it is something I have been working for my whole career.

“The fans can expect a great night of boxing from two fighters who will give it their all in the ring. I will give 110 percent of myself, apply the pressure on fight night to earn another world title for my family.”

The Golden Boy Promotions fighter has an impressive 29 – 1 professional fight record, with 17 of those victories coming by way of knockout. His promoter, the legendary Oscar De La Hoya , is confident that his man can travel to the UK and bring the IBF belt back home to Mexico.

“Ivan Morales is the type of fighter we are proud to have at Golden Boy Promotions,” said Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.

“Ivan is young but hard working and experienced, already having fought 30 professional fights and claimed the WBC International Silver super flyweight title. Ivan is thirsty for another world title so Lee Haskins should be ready for a war in the ring on May 14 when he defends his IBF world bantamweight title for the first time.”

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday, April 4, on www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 844 0444 and are priced at £30, £40 and for VIP ringside £100.