Eric Morel Turned an Olympic Appearance Into a Five-Defense
Eric Morel won the WBA flyweight championship by outpointing Sornpichai Kratingdaenggym in August 2000. The Puerto Rican boxer had represented the United States at the Atlanta Olympics four years earlier.
From amateur medals to professional champion
Morel was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and was associated with Madison, Wisconsin. His amateur results included a junior world silver medal for Puerto Rico in 1992 and an appearance for the United States at the 1996 Olympics.
He won his first thirty-three professional bouts and made five successful WBA flyweight title defenses. Lorenzo Parra ended the championship reign by unanimous decision in December 2003.
Later championship opportunities
Morel lost a WBA super flyweight challenge against Martín Castillo in 2005. In February 2010, he defeated Gerry Peñalosa by split decision for the interim WBO bantamweight championship.
His final two appearances came in 2012, against Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz. Both ended in defeat, and Morel retired with forty-six wins, four losses and twenty-three knockout victories.
His amateur development also included a National Golden Gloves championship in 1994. Morel turned professional after the Atlanta Games, representing Puerto Rico in the paid ranks despite having boxed for the United States at the Olympics. Between his world-title opportunities, he added the NABO super flyweight championship to his record before pursuing further honors in higher divisions.
Sources
- BoxRec: Morel’s Puerto Rican roots and amateur international results
- Olympedia: Morel’s Olympic appearance and professional championship progression
- BoxingScene / Rey Colon: Morel’s retirement, five defenses and interim title
