By Mark Vester
Former WBA junior welterweight champion Diobelys Hurtado (41-3-1, 25KOs) won a close twelve round split decision over Arturo Morua (25-12, 14KOs) at the Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in Miami, Florida. The scores were 114-113, 114-113 for Hurtado, and 114-113 for Morua.
Hurtado was a great amateur and good pro, but he's 36 and only fought three times in the last five years. The fight should not have been this hard. His opponent lost four of his last five but Hurtado still struggled during the contest. It might be time to hang them up. Morua's record is a bit deceiving. He does hold wins over Omar Weiss, Emanuel Augustus, Cosme Rivera and a prime Carlos Maussa. But those wins were many years ago.
After Hurtado came out to a quick start by boxing in the first, he was knocked down during the end of the round when a right hand caught him. Morua continued to land big punches in the second. Hurtado came back in the third to inflict a deep cut on Morua's hairline. During the fifth, a clash of heads opened up a bad cut above Hurtado's right eye. Morua pounced on him during the round and tried to capitalize on the damage. As the rounds went on, Hurtado did a lot of work with his left jab while staying away from an incoming Morua who never stopped fighting. Morua finished looking strong, while Hurtado looked very tired.
Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com