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Haskins retains world title with unanimous decision over Morales

Paul Harding / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Lee Haskins never threw a punch to win the world title and was not given much to worry about in a steady, no-thrills first defence.

Earning a unanimous points decision by scores of 119-108, 118-110 and 118-110, the Briton retained his IBF world bantamweight title after Mexican Ivan Morales failed to offer much of a threat at the Ice Arena in Cardiff on Saturday.

Haskins (33-3, 14 KOs), 32, was handed the belt when American Randy Caballero failed to make the weight last November in Las Vegas.

When Haskins did have his first world title fight, as champion, he made it look easy by utilising his unorthodox southpaw style and landing single shots from unusual angles.

Haskins controlled the pace of the fight, picking off Morales as he came forward, and was a comfortable winner to set up a second defence against fellow Briton Stuey Hall (20-4-2, 7 KOs), the former IBF champion.

"All I was thinking in training for this fight is fighting Stuey Hall," said Haskins.

"I've beaten him easily before and I will beat him easily again. He has been talking some BS, I don't know whether it's because I've got more hair than him or what, but I will give him a boxing lesson again."

Morales (29-2, 17 KOs) is the younger brother of four-weight world champion Erik and former WBO super-flyweight champion Diego, but Haskins insisted pre-fight: "Just because his brothers can box doesn't mean he can."

Morales certainly does not have the same fire as Erik and Haskins was allowed to coast much of his first defence, scoring with single shots.

Haskins made a confident and busy start and a right knocked Morales off balance in the first round.

Morales, 24, from Tijuana, was not aggressive enough to concern Haskins in the first half of the fight as the champion picked off the challenger with single shots.

Morales did not put enough pressure on Haskins and the Mexican boxer never got to grips with the British boxer's unusual angles.

Haskins never really seriously threatened Morales in a dominant performance which he finished strongly, catching the Mexican with a big left in the tenth.