DIALE EYEING OPBF REMATCH WITH ETO
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 27 Jan 2015
Philippine flyweight champion Ardin Diale is eyeing a rematch with reigning Orient Pacific Boxing Federation champion Koki Eto of Japan to whom he lost by an 8th round knockout in a clash for the vacant crown on June 17 last year in Tokyo.
Diale who is ranked No.2 by the OPBF behind Japan?s Takuma Inoue has stayed busy with a series of fights featured on the top rating Viva Sports weekly boxing show ?The Main Event? of the promotional tandem of Edgar De Castro and Ryuta Kato of United Boxing International Promotions.
Diale figures in a tune-up fight against Indonesia?s Rommy Wassar at the Mandaluyong City Gym this Saturday in an interesting fight card headlined by the World Boxing Council Asian Boxing Council light flyweight title fight between undefeated Richard Claveras who has 11 knockouts in 11 wins with 2 draws and Indonesia?s Demsi Manufoe who is a tough southpaw with 6 knockouts in wins and 3 defeats.
The 26 year old Diale, nicknamed ?The Spoiler? is unlikely to spoil his bid for a rematch for the OPBF title against the 32 year old southpaw Wassar who doesn?t have an impressive record with 11 wins, 17 losses and 7 draws with 5 wins coming by way of knockouts.
Diale, on the other hand, has a record 26-9-3 with 13 knockouts and is coming off a smashjing 2nd round knockout of Indonesia?s Ricky Manufoe last December 9 after retaining his Philippine title when young Jenny Boy Buca retired in round ten.
It was Diale?s sixth successive title defense after winning the 112 pound belt with a unanimous twelve round decision over Richard Garcia on February 16, 2011.
Wassar won his last bout which was an eight rounder against fellow Indonesian Zun Rindam last December 20 after suffering a 2nd round knockout at the hands of Japan?s Ryosuke Iwasa on September 6.
In hoping for a rematch with Eto for the OPBF title, Diale will recall that in their title fight he appeared to be winning but faded in a last-ditch effort in the 8th round when he was dropped twice and was counted out.
Asian Boxing Scene described the fight as a thriller which started well for Diale who dropped Eto in round three to give him a 39-36 lead under the open scoring system at the end of the 4th round.
The fight was a slugfest and Eto was again on the receiving end in round seven as he was dropped for the second time but the Japanese showed his fighting heart in round eight and turned things around.
Asian Boxing Scene reported that both slugged it out with the intention of ending it right there and then with Eto groggy at one moment and ready for the taking before Diale was hurt moments later and was dropped twice.
Diale threw everything he had at Eto but blew himself out in the process and a follow-up attach by Eto after stunning Diale forced the stoppage in a remarkable turnaround that was one of the comebacks of 2 014.
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