Briceno Gets Call for Montiel
Nicaragua's Evert Briceno has stepped in for suspended Eric Morel to face Fernando Montiel for the WBO super flyweight title on Saturday's Hopkins-Taylor card in Las Vegas. Briceno, 21-2 with 17 KOs, is currently riding a two fight knockout streak. Morel was removed from the fight last week after being suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission due to his recent conviction on a sexual assault charge.MADISON, Wis. – Former WBA flyweight champion Eric Morel pleaded no contest Thursday to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.
The 29-year-old boxer was then found guilty by Judge William Foust of second-degree sexual assault of a child. The judge did not immediately schedule sentencing. Morel, who faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, remained free on bail. The former Olympic fighter changed his earlier plea of not guilty.
Morel's half brother, Frederick Santos Perez, 25, of Boston, and the boxer's brother, Samuel Morel, 37, of Chicago, also were charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child. The case stems from an alleged assault Dec. 1, 2002, in suburban Fitchburg.
Also the WBC ranks Mayorga second and Piccirillo third in the super-welterweight division. Javier Castillejo, who faces Fernando Vargas on Aug. 20 at Allstate Arena, was stripped of the title for not fighting Mayorga.
Vargas filed a protest with the independent Association of Boxing Commissioners that Mayorga shouldn't be considered a mandatory challenger because he isn't ranked No. 1 (Oscar de la Hoya is) and didn't win an elimination bout. Vargas also reasoned that because Mayorga lost two of his last three bouts, he shouldn't be considered a mandatory challenger.
