Lee Haskins will defend the IBF Bantamweight title against Ivan Morales on May 14th in Cardiff, wales, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.
“Lee Haskins versus Ivan Morales is going to be an all-action contest,” said Cyclone Promotions’ Barry McGuigan, the Hall of Fame former featherweight champion. “Both of these guys can really fight.
“Ivan Morales is from Mexican boxing royalty and Lee cannot afford to take this fight lightly. 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.”
“I’m delighted to be defending my world title in front of my fans,” Haskins said. “To be defending my belt at home, in the U.K., 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. It’s going to be a cracking fight.”
“I feel grateful to my team and Golden Boy Promotions for the opportunity to fight for the IBF bantamweight world championship,” Morales said. “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.”
Oscar De La Hoya, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said, “Ivan is young but hard working and experienced, already having fought 30 professional fights. Ivan is thirsty for another world title so Lee Haskins should be ready for a war in the ring.”
Asked for his thoughts on Ivan Morales, Haskins said, “I might ask for a photo with Erik Morales before the fight, before I beat his brother.”