Solo Boxeo Tecate: Ivan Morales vs. Luis Maldonado RBR

Trainer (and relative?) Jose "Olivarito" Morales is trying to keep the atmosphere calm in the El Terrible corner while applying Vaseline where needed and softly cooing encouragement.

 

Round 5

Maldonado is rushing in fearlessly, overhand left leads carrying him inside and right hooks chipping away at the body of Morales. A few right jabs and left crosses on the back foot by Morales, testing the waters. When he connects, his confidence grows and he puts together a few more, even daring to step forward. Maldonado really got in his head in the 3rd and 4th and Morales is struggling to regain his mojo. Morales still isn't entirely back to full swagger. When he jabs Maldonado smacks him to the ropes with bunches of uppercuts. OH, flush uppercut by Maldonado reaching under Morales' guard. Airtight round. A minute left. Either man could take it. Big 1-2 by Morales, digging deep and hoisting himself up by the cojones. BIG RIGHT HOOK BY MALDONADO! Another. They stand toe to toe and slug. Flush right jab by Morales. BIG left uppercuts by Maldonado. Another! Another!! Morales' head snapped back! Body shots by Maldonado, relentlessly pouring himself in as Morales sinks back to the ropes.

10-9 Maldonado

48-47 Maldonado

 

This is really terrific stuff.

Youthful bravado vs. experienced savvy.

Maldonado's decision to unexpectedly switch southpaw on the unseasoned Morales (combined with his borderline illegal low-diving body attack) has proven to be absolutely brilliant. It's getting him whatever he wants.

Where is everybody?

 

This looked like a torch passing showcase and instead became man vs. boy, a trip to the cleaners.

You can't script this stuff.

How ****ing cool is boxing?? 8)

 

Round 6

Maldonado is ripping away with right hooks to the body as Morales backs up and counters with light jabs. Maldonado keeps pushing, lefts to the body, weaving and blocking as Morales turns him and skips off. BIG RIGHT HOOK TO THE FACE by Maldonado, turning Morales' head sharply as he's pulling straight back with his hands down. Maldonado is cracking Morales with looping lefts to the back of the head now, lunging in from an outside crouch. Morales tries to stop him with combos, but is only capable of arm punches at this point. Maldonado still has plenty of zip on his body shots and is trying to rip Morales' head off, failing only for Morales' quick feet.

10-9 Maldonado

58-56 Maldonado

 

Maldonado can punch, and Morales has taken some flush bombs the last few rounds.


Solid chin, but he might get stopped.

Still a long time left and he can't figure Luis out.

Maldonado is intelligently taking his legs away by investing in body shots, from very early on.

 

I hope they don't rob Maldonado (if he keeps dominating like this and it lasts the next four rounds)

That would be so depressing, and probably ruin this whole day of boxing for me. :verysad

 

Round 7

Maldonado is drubbing the body with left uppercuts on the way in, still posing as a southpaw. Morales is reduced to throwing weak overhand lefts, fanning the air with them, seemingly unable to even tell when Maldonado is close enough to land on. Morales may have blurry vision. Maldonado is cracking him with hard right hooks and soaring left hands from the hip. Morales tosses light counters back while in full retreat, trying his best to fight back. Maldonado has an ever worsening cut on his eye socket. They looked at prior to the last round and deemed it OK, but it's gotten deeper.

10-9 Maldonado

78-75 Maldonado

 

I like Ivan, but unless he sweeps these next three rounds he deserves an L here (best case scenario for him is a draw unless he scores a knockdown)...all of Maldonado's rounds have been clear.

 

Round 8

Maldonado is jabbing the body with his right and then looping in a left as Morales backs up. Maldonado jabs into the guard. Morales drops a jab back at him, but isn't aiming very well. Maldonado isn't using a lot of movement or moving very fast, but Morales is somehow missing him anyway. Maldonado moves in and gets Morales to brawl with him. UPPERCUTS!! Both landing; uppers for Maldonado and straights for Morales. Really nice action. Morales backs away and watches from out of reach. Maldonado dives in, left to the body. Right hook to the body ducking under a Morales jab. Clubbing left to the head and Morales wilts under it. Maldonado leaps back from a Morales jab and then edges his way back in, staying low, with body shots. SEVERAL BIG HOOKS TO THE FACE by Maldonado, quaking Morales in his boots.

10-9 Maldonado

78-74 Maldonado

 

Ivan has the family chin. :good


What he doesn't have is Erik's instinct to throw a punch back every time he gets hit. He doesn't have that at all. He wants to curl up in a ball and suck his thumb instead and it's all the machismo he can muster not to.