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The first bout up on the spectacular fight card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was a spirited fight for the WBA super flyweight title between champion Martin Castillo and challenger Eric Morel. Morel, a former world champion at a lower weight was looking to get back into the championship picture, but Castillo, who took the title with a dramatic win over Alexander Munoz, was in no mood to let the title go so soon. The following is what happened between these two world-class super flyweights.
Round one: This is a feeling out round. Both land some good combinations in what is a fairly even opening round, no decisive advantage gained by either man in a lot of near-miss exchanges.
Round two: Morel is on the back foot. Several exchanges punctuate the round but come to nothing major and do not yield a distinct advantage for either fighter. Castillo looks to be the more powerful puncher and his body works is solid. Morel soon finds himself on the ropes with Castillo closing in on him in a dominant posture. fullstory
Round three: Castillo lands some good left hooks. Morel is hurt and Castillo follows up with a good right hand. Morel is trying to jab and box but he is fighting hurt. Castillo lands another hard right hand. Castillo wades in on Morel; it’s all about power for Castillo and he is keen to show that he has plenty of it.
Round four: Morel lands a good right hand in the early going. The middle part of the round is quiet. Castillo attacks well to the body and both men begin to have their successes. Castillo’s power begins to tell as they both trade hooks on the inside.
Round five: Castillo is aggressive and bossing many of the rounds as such. Castillo manages to get Morel on the ropes and land several effective shots. Morel scores a good right hand. Castillo is brawling while Morel elects to try and box in a more composed manner. Castillo has more success in backing Morel onto the ropes and a head clash inflicts a cut on Castillo.
Round six: Castillo is effective but very basic, just looking to land power punches. Morel looks more controlled but cannot make his style effective enough on the swarming champion.
Round seven: This round is very scrappy. Castillo jabs but the punches from both fighters here are quite sloppy and the inaccuracy means that a lot of punches miss wildly or are slipped easily enough.
Round eight: A big exchange occurs and both fighters feel some leather. They trade right hands and Morel gets trapped on the ropes again. The fight is beginning to become a brawl which would appear to suit Castillo. Morel begins to land with greater frequency only to be stunned with a Castillo left-right combination.
Round nine: Body shots from both to begin. A Morel left gets through but overall there are too many missed punches from both fighters. Castillo land a good left hook before the rounds end.
Round ten: Both slip shots well, they jab and it looks like it will go all the way. A Morel left lands and Castillo complains of Morel’s head use. Castillo is checked for cut damage.
Round eleven: A Castillo right hand hurts Morel. Another Castillo right lands but Morel now looks acclimatized to the champion’s power. Castillo gets through even more with a right followed by a left-right combination.
Round twelve: Morel lands well with Castillo on the ropes. They really trade well in the final minutes, especially in the closing moments but Castillo gets the best of it with a three-punch combination.
The scores are all unanimous: 119-109 on all cards for the winner and still champion, Martin Castillo.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
