Lee Haskins vs. Ivan Morales: Fight Time, Date, Preview and TV Info

After being crowned in unusual circumstances, Lee Haskins makes the first defence of his IBF bantamweight title on Saturday at the Ice Arena in Cardiff, Wales.

Englishman Haskins (32-3, 14 KOs) claimed the belt last year without having to step into a ring. Previous champion Randy Caballero was stripped of the strap after failing to make weight for their fight in November 2015.

Now Haskins goes up against Ivan Morales (29-1, 17 KOs), a Mexican from a famous fighting family.

The challenger is the younger brother of Erik and Diego Morales. Yes, that Erik Morales, the one nicknamed El Terrible who won world titles at four different weights.

Also on the card, Andrew Selby bids to win the vacant British flyweight title in just his fifth professional outing. The Welshman—younger brother of IBF featherweight champion Lee Selby—faces Louis Norman.

When: Saturday, May 14, at 10 p.m. BST (5 p.m. ET)

Where: Ice Arena, Cardiff, Wales

TV: Channel 5 (UK)

The Long and Winding Road

John Locher/Associated Press

Haskins has taken the long road to the top. At times, it seemed like he would never get there.

Nicknamed Playboy for a reason, the Bristolian—who started out as a flyweight—always had the talent but lacked the dedication required to reach the highest level.

However, losing the European bantamweight belt to Stephane Jamoye in 2012 seemed to flick a switch in Haskins' head.

Since that stoppage loss in Liege, Belgium, he has reeled off six successive victories.

He started the run by beating Martin Ward to become British champion, then reclaimed the European strap when his bout with Omar Lamiri was sent to the scorecards early due to a cut over Haskins' right eye.

In his most recent outing, Haskins became the IBF's interim champion. Defeating Ryosuke Iwasa set up a clash with Caballero, although that never happened due to his opponent's issues on the scales.

Now Haskins gets a homecoming of sorts. While he travels into Wales for his first defence, plenty from Bristol will make the short trip across the Second Severn Crossing to see the titleholder in action.

The southpaw has no intention of letting his travelling supporters down, as he explained to Andy Stockhausen of the Bristol Post:

"

I'm not ready to give this belt up yet. It's coming back home with me on Saturday night.

Doors are opening for me now and there are a lot of opportunities out there. I'm going to send Ivan home to his mother with his tail between his legs and then look for even bigger fights.

I'm at the top of my game, I feel I've a lot left in the tank and I want to try and clean up in this weight division and unify the belts.

"

The fight—which will be broadcast on free-to-air television—is co-promoted by Barry McGuigan's Cyclone Promotions and Sanigar Events, who have Haskins in their stable of fighters.

Family Traditions

Morales can complete a family hat-trick on Saturday.

He has seen his boxing brothers Diego and Erik both win world titles. If he can dethrone Haskins on the road, Nino Maravilla will follow in the footsteps of his famous siblings.

Before leaving Mexico, the challenger told Ben Jacobs of BoxingScene.com:

"

This is huge for my family, it’s not every day that you can have three world champions from the same family.

Our parents taught us good values and wanted us to reach our dreams. They hoped we’d be good people but I don’t think they ever thought they’d have three sons who would be world champions, and we are a week away from that. I have faith that it will happen, my parents and brothers will be very happy with my fight.

"

Morales was hotly tipped to go all the way from early in his career. Yet his progress hit a stumbling block by the name of Edgar Jimenez in August last year.

Facing a journeyman who had 11 defeats on his record, Morales was second best throughout a 10-round contest. He lost by majority decision on the cards, although a 95-95 score from one judge was generous.

The 24-year-old has bounced back since that first defeat. He stopped Manuel Jimenez in Round 5 last December, although that one result does not answer the question about his readiness for a world-title shot.

On Morales, Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ wrote: "He's a talented young fighter, still maturing, and it's possible that the loss may have been a blessing in disguise, a bit of a wake-up call, and something he can learn from going forward."

The southpaw is taking a step into the unknown—his only two bouts outside of his homeland took place in the United States, hardly a tricky away day for a Mexican fighter.

However, Morales can always turn to Diego and Erik for advice about becoming a world champion.

Prediction

If Ivan is even half as good as his eldest brother Erik, Haskins is in for a seriously tough night in the Welsh capital.

However, the champion comfortably has the upper hand when it comes to experience. He also has a lot to lose—a defeat at this stage of his career is a step back he can ill afford to take.

The presence of McGuigan sprinkles a little extra stardust on the occasion.

Haskins knows the linkup with Cyclone Promotions could lead to big bouts further down the line, provided he retains his title.

He will do just that in Cardiff by recording a points triumph over Morales after 12 absorbing rounds.

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