Ringside Report – Valeggio Sul Mincio (Verona, Italy)
A simply monumental performance by Angelo “El Terrible” Morejon, who in the main event of Gloves of Glory 2 — a fine event organized by Italian Ringside Promotion at the Palazzetto dello Sport in Valeggio sul Mincio (VR) — overwhelmed the unfortunate Frenchman David Spilmont, stopping him by KO in the fifth round. The Cuban heavyweight, now based in Italy and coached by Emanuele Orlando, captured the WBC Mediterranean Title — the first professional belt of his career.
There was a twenty-kilo weight difference between the two fighters. While Spilmont weighed in at 118 kg, Morejon stopped the scale at just 98 kg — a remarkably light weight for a modern-day heavyweight. However, that size deficit played no role, as El Terrible dominated from the opening bell.
As is his habit, the Cuban didn’t rush in with reckless aggression but instead let his hands go with relaxed combinations rather than obsessively hunting for the KO. This approach allowed him to study his opponent’s movements, keeping him under constant pressure and comfortably securing the first two rounds.
Morejon’s seemingly laid-back and confident attitude — evident from the moment he stepped into the ring — can, however, instantly turn into the killer instinct of a true puncher. Spilmont found this out the hard way in the third round, when he lost focus momentarily while exiting a clinch and was immediately caught by a violent two-handed combination.
Following the wise instructions of coach Orlando and executing the plan they had worked on in the gym, Morejon cleverly varied his attack, and in the fourth round began to reap the rewards of his excellent body work — a rare sight in the heavyweight division, where most fighters focus almost exclusively on head shots.
Spilmont visibly felt the impact of a body uppercut and retreated hastily toward the corner, only to be saved by the bell at a moment when he seemed on the verge of collapse. The end, however, was merely delayed until the following round: the path was now clear.
Morejon realized he had found his opponent’s weak spot and capitalized on it, dropping him with a vicious right hand to the midsection. Though in pain, the Frenchman got back up and tried to continue, but was soon trapped against the ropes and forced to take a knee again, this time after a pair of left uppercuts to the liver that prompted the final count.
More impressive than the victory itself was the way Morejon passed the first real test of his pro career. Facing a more experienced fighter — Spilmont had more than three times as many fights — El Terrible dominated with disarming ease, making his opponent look like a mere journeyman.
The student of maestro Orlando never took any risks, dodging and blocking all of Spilmont’s counters without losing composure. Offensively, he displayed the full range of his skills, once again highlighting an enviable array of tools and a rare speed of execution for a man his size.
Now many exciting opportunities could open up for Morejon, as confirmed by the evening’s promoter, the young and ambitious Riccardo Bizzo, who proudly stated he had believed in the Cuban’s talent from the very beginning, when he signed him one year ago.
Bizzo told Boxe Punch that among the possible next steps for El Terrible are a defense of the newly won belt or a challenge for the Italian national title — a shot Morejon is now eligible for according to current federation rules.
Looking further ahead, there’s also the potential to explore a path toward the upper ranks of the newly created bridgerweight division. Morejon would easily meet the weight limit and would likely have little trouble rising quickly in the rankings and earning a high-profile title shot.
Regardless of how his career unfolds in the future, what matters right now is Angelo Morejon’s superb triumph in his first title fight — a display of class, talent, and technical mastery rarely seen in Italy’s heavyweight scene in recent decades.
Italian boxing fans would do well to keep a close eye on this adopted gem of ours, now so well integrated that he enters the ring wearing shorts adorned with the Italian flag. He and his coach Emanuele Orlando, if they stay on this path of steady growth, can truly go far.