By Geno McGahee
An 8 round super bantamweight bout is next as Hector Valdez, 13-0, 8 KO’s, takes on Josue Morales, 11-12-4, 1 KO. Valdez begins stalking with a tight defense and focusing on the body of Morales, who is moving around the ring and keeping his hands high. Easy first round for Valdez.
Morales is moving a lot and landing some very light punches on the approaching Valdez, but not getting a lot done. Valdez is winning, but not getting things done. He is trying to corner Morales, but he is moving around successfully and avoiding any harm.
It’s more of the same in round three, but Morales is trying to land some shots and get some things done. Valdez still won the round, but he’s allowing his opponent to run and land some shots.
The longer this bout goes on, the more it’s obvious that Morales is merely trying to make it to the final bell. He is moving and moving and moving and only occasionally throwing a punch. Valdez is trying to work the body, but his opponent does not want to engage and is hard to trap. This is not a competitive or exciting bout.
Round five was the most productive for Valdez as he landed his best body shots on Morales. They are having some impact on him and it’s stopping the return shots completely.
Morales is in full retreat and this fight is very repetitive and predictable. This was not good matchmaking. This bout has not helped the reputation of Valdez at all. Despite the poor fight, the undefeated prospect moves on by unanimous decision by scores of 80-72, 80-72 and 79-73.
