Japan may well have 2 of the best Super Featherweights at the moment with WBA champion Takashi Uchiyama (18-0-1, 15) and WBC Champion Takahiro Ao (23-2-1, 10) however Ao will need to prove his worth this coming weekend as he faces Mexican veteran Gamaliel Diaz (36-9-2, 17).
Despite Diaz's unflattering record, the Mexican can seriously fight and at 31 years old knows that the clock is ticking down on his long career that started way back in 1998 with a decision loss to Luis Alberto Reyes. In fact Diaz's early career goes some way to explaining his poor record as he lost 5 of his first 8 bouts, including one to Martin Honorio, as he spent 3 years trying to get his career off the ground.
After struggling very early in his career Diaz finally got things going and he would go unbeaten over his next 18 bouts. Included in that run of 18 successive bouts were 16 victories and two titles, including the WBC FECARBOX Featherweight title (that he would defend 4 times) and the NABF title that he won by scoring a notable upset over Robert Guerrero (yes, the current WBC interim Welterweight Champion). Sadly however Diaz would suffer at the hands of Guerrero in a rematch as "The Ghost" stopped him in round 6 with a beautiful shot.
Following the loss to Guerrero, Diaz struggled to rebuild his career and went 3-3 in his next 6, scoring a notable win over Elio Rojas whilst suffering losses to Jorge Linares (KO8), Humberto Soto (TKO11) and to South African Zolani Marali (UD12).
Since losing to Marali back in April 2009 Diaz has been on an excellent run winning 13 straight bouts and climbing to #4 in the WBC's rankings. Whilst many of his wins have come against no hopers he has also gone on to defeat the likes of veteran Cesar Soto and the promising Jhean Carlo Aparicio Romero. These probably shouldn't have been enough to earn him such a lofty ranking however the WBC do work in mysterious ways.
Whilst his record isn't pretty Diaz is a decent fighter. Not the most durable admittedly, especially at the world level, however he's still a solid fighter who, if allowed to box, can give almost anyone currently at Super Featherweight real issues. At 5'9" he's tall for the weight, he's experienced, he's tougher than his record indicates (2 of his 5 stoppages came very early in his career) and knows how to box. Sadly however Diaz does lack a serious punch, especially at Super Featherweight and even more so at the world level.
Japanese champion Ao, will be the clear favourite here and with good reason. Not only is he fighting at home in Tokyo but at 28 years old he seems to be coming in to his own and has finally started to fulfill his sizable potential.
Ao turned professional back in 2003 and swiftly rose through the Japanese rankings, taking the Japanese Featherweight title in just his 14th professional bout back, way back in 2007. Ao defended his national title 3 times before moving in to the world level with a bout against the then WBC Featherweight champion Oscar Larios. Despite dropping Larios in round 4, Ao was narrowly beaten by split decision. A rematch 5 months later however saw Ao defeat Larios and claim the world title.
Despite claiming the WBC Featherweight title Ao's reign was very short lived as he lost his belt in his first defense, losing to Elio Rojas (incidentally Rojas had lost to Diaz just 2 fights earlier). This loss saw Ao fleeing the Featherweight division to head to pastures new at Super Feather. At his new weight he swiftly climbed up the rankings before beating former amateur stand out Vitali Tajbert for the WBC title to become a 2-weight world champion.
Since winning the Super Featherweight title Ao has made 3 title defenses beating Humberto Mauro Gutierrez (KO4), Devis Boschiero (SD12) and Terdsak Kokietgym (UD12) and whilst he hasn't looked great in last 2 defenses it does need to be noted that Boschiero is one of the sports most-under rated fighters and has since gone on to claim the European belt.
Like Diaz, Ao is a talented boxer though lacks real venom. It's true that Ao is a hurtful puncher (having dropped Larios, Tajbert and Gutierrez at world level) though he's not a massive hitter and he isn't likely to put a top fighter out of there. At his best Ao is a very good boxer, he's a tricky southpaw who is quick with his hands and feet and seems to be growing in confidence. Unlike compatriot Uchiyama he hasn't the power to nearly behead you, however he has the skills to out box most at the weight and he's proven to be tough having never been stopped.
Although Diaz is capable of springing the upset here I just can't see Ao losing. Diaz doesn't hit hard enough to stop Ao, and I can't see Diaz getting a decision in Japan. It could well be a close and interesting fight, but Ao will likely have the crowd behind him and do enough to claim a comfortable decision. Saying this however Ao has got the power to hurt Diaz and whilst I wouldn't bet on him to score a stoppage, it's not actually out of the question.
Prediction-Ao Unanimous Decision.
Note-For fans watching this card keep a close eye on Ryosuke Iwasa (12-1, 9) who faces former world title challenger David De La Mora (24-2, 17). Iwasa is one of the best prospects in world boxing right now and we imagine he will take a world title in the next few years.
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