Anselmo Moreno still fighting with a title shot in mind
Boxing is full of fighters from different parts of the world. Fighters tend to compete in their home country, making it up the rankings without most fans knowing who they are. Fighters even win championships that go under the radar. This is the story of former WBA bantamweight champion Anselmo “El Fantasma” Moreno (39-6-1, 12ko). A well-accomplished fighter that spent the majority of his career fighting in his country and other locations overseas.
Moreno is a 36-year-old Panamanian fighter that holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning bantamweight champion of all time. His reigned as regular champion from 2008 until finally being elevated to super status in 2011. He would lose the belt to Juan Carlos Payano in 2014.
Furthermore, he defended the championship against some of the most recognizable names among boxing pundits. Fighters like Volodymyr Sydorenko, Nehomar Cermeno, Javier Nicolas Chacon. He even shared the ring with some of the most accomplished former world champions like Abner Mares, Vic Darchinyan, and the man that is number four on the all-time reigning championship list, Shinsuke Yamanaka.
STILL IN THE HUNT FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP
What makes this story even more amazing is the Panamanian fighter has been able to beat father time and could be on the verge of getting one last hurrah fighting for a championship. Moreno is currently the number one ranked featherweight in the WBA. This puts him in the direct path of the organization’s newly crowned ‘regular’ champion Leigh Wood, or ‘super’ champion Leo Santa Cruz.
In 2016 and 2017, the former champion took two bad back-two-back knockout losses to former title challenger Julio Ceja and rival opponent Yamanaka. He would take almost two years away before returning in 2019 and has been on a three-fight win streak.
The window of opportunity is closing for the elder former champion. So the chance to fight for a championship needs to happen now.
By: Garrisson Bland
