DIAZ UPSETS AO TO WIN WBC SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 28 Oct 2012
Mexican veteran Gamaliel Diaz (37-9-2, 17 KOs) upset Japan's defending super featherweight champion Takahiro Ao (23-3-1, 10 KO's) to win the WBC super-featherweight title in a bloody battle in Tokyo Saturday night.
All three judges scored the fight for the Mexican challenger. Thailand's Anek Hongtongkam and Glen Rick Crocker of the United States turned in identical scores of 114-112 while Steve Morrow, also of the US had Diaz winner by a wider 115-111 margin.
Diaz bucked two one point deductions by referee Ian John-Lewis of Britain to stage a superb rally to win the last four rounds in a give-and-take affair in which Ao was clearly hampered by blood flowing from a nasty gash over his left eyebrow caused by an accidental head-butt in round three which resulted in Diaz being penalized a point.
The lanky Mexican took command in the fourth round with some stinging right straights and when the WBC rule on the announcement of the scores at the end of four rounds was put into effect Diaz was leading on two scorecards 38-37 and 39-36 while Ao was ahead on one at 38-37.
Diaz was deducted another point for repeated low blows in the fifth round and after the eighth it was still a close contest two judges tallied in favor of Diaz 76-74 while one judge had it by the same margin for Ao.
The 31 year old Diaz was making his third attempt ro win a world title and worked behind a solid jab to frustrate the champion.
Ranked No. 4 by the WBC Diaz, with the win, improved to 37-9 with 17 knockouts while Ao who was once a sparring partner of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera for his two fights with "Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao dropped to 23-3 with 10 knockouts.
In a post fight interview Diaz said "My dream came true. I was calm from the very first round. I received several heavy punches, but he was unable to knock me out."
The beaten champion conceded he "wasn't strong enough to beat him. I grew intense after my sight became worse. I tried to move forward, but I lost my balance."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
A Seat at the Table of Antonio Lopez Aldeguer: A Reminiscence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 25 Apr 2025LA Clippers Rout Denver, 117-83 But Detroit, Memphis Fall Short
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 25 Apr 2025Filipino David Ray Sarmiento finishes 2nd in Germany chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 25 Apr 2025Verano stops Sohsit of Thailand in Clash of Nations
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 25 Apr 2025Land of the Rising Star: WBO Welter Champ Brian Norman Jr. Defends Crown June 19 Against Jin Sasaki in Tokyo; Araneta vs Simsri for IBF Title in Co-Feature
Fri, 25 Apr 2025Filipino trainer scores big win
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 25 Apr 2025Abalos, Reyes, Manalo to grace billiardfest on May 4
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 25 Apr 2025EUBANK JR VS. BENN + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 25 Apr 2025June 21: Jahi Tucker-Lorenzo Simpson Middleweight Grudge Match Added to Vito Mielnicki Jr.- Kamil Gardzielik Card at Prudential Center LIVE on ESPN+
Fri, 25 Apr 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS ADDS TWO MORE ELITE WORLD CHAMPIONS TO STAR-STUDDED ROSTER
Fri, 25 Apr 2025Toro Promotions, Inc. Flexing its Heavyweight Muscles Around the boxing world
Fri, 25 Apr 2025Unbeaten pro boxer Anthony Velasquez Building his brand promoting this Saturday’s Main event fight at home in Springfield, Mass.
Fri, 25 Apr 2025Disturbing, Eyebrow-Raising Happenings Involving Prominent Filipino Fighters (Part 2)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 24 Apr 2025The Monster Arrives: Naoya Inoue Is Back in America!
Thu, 24 Apr 2025Prayers for Jonathan
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 24 Apr 2025