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Ex-con Eric Morel returns to outpoint Almanza in Miami

Eric Morel, the former WBA flyweight champion and 1996 US Olympian who recently completed a prison term for sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl, returned to the ring on Friday night to unanimously outpoint Felipe Almanza.

Six months ago, Morel, a native of Puerto Rico, finished a two-year prison sentence in Wisconsin, where the 31-year-old fighter has lived since 1992.

"We have taken a successful first step back," Morel said. "The nightmare of waiting is over."

Morel admitted he lacked punch consistency but felt satisfied with stamina in the eight-round bantamweight bout at Miccosukee Indian Gaming.

Morel (36-2) was effective early, connecting with lead lefts and rights to the head. In the third round, he hurt Almanza with a left hook to the head.

Almanza (12-13) scored with lefts to head in the sixth and seventh rounds, in the Colombian fighter's most productive moments of the bout.

But Morel closed the fight with effective combinations to the head in the eighth and won on all three judges' scorecards, 79-73, 78-74 and 77-75.

There were no knockdowns.

"My plan now is to take a week off and resume training," Morel said. "I know I have a lot of work to do and thank God, I am getting this opportunity."

Morel said he will fight in the 118-pound (53.5kg) bantamweight division after excelling during his stint as flyweight champion between 2000 and 2003.
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