Boxing In America: Friday Night Results

ByRichard Eberline

Leading up to tonight’s big showdown between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, there were a few good cards across the states last night and we start this report with the amazing comeback of Antonio Diaz, 43-5-1 (29), who came off a three year hiatus to overcome Felix Flores, 22-7 (16), by majority decision to annex the vacant WBO Latino Light Middleweight title at the Civic Centre in Kissimmee, Florida.

33 year old Diaz challenged unsuccessfully for two world titles at welterweight, losing to Shane Mosley and Margarito, but held wins over Corey Spinks, Mickey Ward, Emmanuel Augustus, Omar Weis and Ivan Robinson among others by the time of his most recent bout, a fifth round TKO over welterweight Roberto Ortega in August, 2005.

32 year old Flores, who also bid twice unsuccessfully for world titles, losing to DeMarcus Corley and Sharmba Mitchell, was coming off consecutive competitive losses to contenders Joshua Clottey and Cosme Rivera.

Against Flores last night, Californian Diaz gritted out a tough win over his Puerto Rican opponent, perhaps being the fresher man after such a long time out of the ring, and finds himself with exciting new career possibilities in the light middleweight division.

City Center in Saratoga Springs, New York was the site of middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr, 19-1 (9), winning the biggest fight of his career, a ten round decision over contender Raymond Joval, 37-5 (16).

Those in attendance at the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas witnessed Jesus Soto Karass, 21-3-3 (15), winning the vacant NABF Welterweight crown by stopping Chicago hard man David Estrada, 22-5 (13), in the eighth frame.

On the undercard, hot lightweight prospect Brandon Rios, 18-0 (12), destroyed Sandro Marcos, 27-19-2 (23), in the second round.

At Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California, Raul Martinez, 23-0 (13), stayed perfect in defense of his IBA Super Flyweight belt, winning a unanimous decision against Isidro Garcia, 25-5-2 (8), after twelve rounds.

The Omega Products International venue in Corona, California played host to the continued victory parade of featherweight Juan Carlos Burgos, 19-0 (14), who posted an eight round UD over Adres Ledesma, 14-10-1 (9).

Chicago, IL saw bantamweight Francisco Rodriguez, 13-2 (8), outpoint Alex Becerra, 19-7 (9), over ten rounds at the Aragon Ballroom, while light heavyweight Mike Nevitt, 15-1 (6), stopped Luis Lopez, 14-15-1 (6), in the sixth and final round.