Mexican Super Featherweight Gamaliel Diaz (37-9-2, 17)) looks to make the first defense of his WBC title when he faces the highly rated Japanese challenger Takashi Miura (24-2-2, 18) in Mirua's homeland of Japan.
Although Diaz is on the road for this fight he'll have fond memories of Japan where he is 3-0 as a professional and had his crowning glory last year defeating Takahiro Ao by unanimous decision for his world title. In fact the 32 year old may well feel that Japan is where he has performed the best over his 14 year career with victories not only against Ao but also Naoto Fujiwara and Makoto Uehara (oddly following those victories with a notable defeat of Robert Guerrero).
Although Diaz's record looks like that of a journeyman he actually picked up more than half of his losses in his first 8 bouts as he started his career 3-5 suffering 2 stoppage losses including 1 to Martin Honorio. Since then Diaz has compiled a very respectable 34-4-2 record with losses to Robert Guerrero (who he had already beaten), Humberto Soto, Jorge Linares and Zolani Marali with the last of those coming 4 years ago to Marali. Against those losses Diaz has beaten not only Guerrero and Ao but also Elio Rojas, Cesar Soto and John Carlo Aparicio.
Diaz isn't anything special but on the flip of that he's a fighter who, if he fights to his best can upset special fighters. Sadly for Diaz though he is a fighter who can blow hot and cold and when he's not on form he can make life very difficult for himself and as we've seen several times he can be hurt when tagged hard, in fact of his last 4 losses 3 have come by stoppage with his chin not holding up at world level. Against Miura this could be an issue as the Japanese fighter is a real puncher, though Diaz has got the experience edge and should know how to get around Miura's biggest shots.
Whilst Diaz is well known around boxing circles his Japanese rival is lesser known in the west. Despite his relative obscurity to Western boxing fans Miura is well known to fans of the East thanks in part to his performance against Takashi Uchiyama which saw Uchiyama decked in round 3 before Miura was retired.
At 28 years old Miura is the younger fighter by 4 years in terms of age but is also younger in terms of "boxing years" having had fewer high profile bouts. Despite this Miura is well tested having fought in 7 Japanese title fights (going 5-1-1 in those bouts) and his bout with Uchiyama. Amongst those he has beaten are Yoshimitsu Yashiro, Seiichi Okada and most recently Ryuji Migaki (who was blasted out in 97 seconds). Whilst his only loss, other than the Uchiyama defeat, coming to former WBA Lightweight champion Yusuke Kobori in Miura's first title bout.
Miura is a genuine hard man despite his loss to Uchiyama (arguably the hard puncher in Super Featherweight division) and with his own fire power is a real danger man in the division. Whilst he has thunderous power he can often seem a bit predictable in trying to set up left hand and he seems to lack any sort of attack from his lead hand at times allowing a smart fighter to out boxing him. He can also get frustrated by a fighter who moves away from his left. It's fair to say however you've got to be pretty stupid to move into his straight left.
Due to the power of Miura with his straight left I've got to go with the Japanese catching Diaz at some point and putting him down. I have a feeling that Diaz may get up from a single knock down but be get stopped sooner afterwards.
Prediction-Mirua TKO5
Showing posts with label Gamaliel Diaz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gamaliel Diaz. Show all posts
Sunday, 7 April 2013
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Takahiro Ao v Gamaliel Diaz
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.
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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