Controversial Close to Exciting Night in Houston
Juan Diaz vs. Paulie Malignaggi
Coming into Saturday night’s clash with #1 ranked Lightweight Juan Diaz, Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi told everyone with a microphone and a pair of ears, his concerns about getting a fair shake in Diaz’s hometown. He talked endlessly about the concessions he made in fighting in Houston, at a catchweight of 138 1/2 lbs., and in a smaller ring more suited to Diaz’s pressure style. He claimed that Golden Boy Promotions, who promotes Diaz, flip-flopped on a promise of neutral officials and was outraged when he heard the judging panel. After the bout, the Brooklyn New York native and many who watched, feel he had cause for complaint.
It proved to be an exciting, back-and-forth tilt. Diaz scoring big on the inside and Malignaggi using speed, to get in and get out. Both men were cut early. Malignaggi at the end of the 1st round, and Diaz twice. The first came from a punch in the 2nd round over the left eyelid. The second, from an accidental head butt in the 5th over that same eye.
The “Baby Bull” to his credit, fought hard. Wiping away the blood, as the fight went on but also wiping away the doubters, who questioned his ability to fight through cuts. In his only losses against Nate Campbell and Juan Manuel Marquez, Diaz seemed to fade and slow down at the sight of his own blood.
Diaz no doubt landed the harder shots and can easily make the claim, that he deserved to win the fight, but it was Malignaggi who seemed to control the pace. He looked sharp from the opening bell, using good footwork and quick combinations to keep the hometown boy at bay, the best he could. Diaz’s success came on counter lefts as Malignaggi finished his combinations, by backing out with his hand’s down. Diaz used the smaller ring to stalk Malignaggi and try and neutralize his speed advantage. The crowd fully behind him, roared every time he landed.
The decision could be argued either way but in the end, all three judges gave it unanimously to Diaz by scores of 115-113, 116-112, and 118-110. Naming him the new NABO Junior Welterweight Champion. Pro Fighting-Fans.com had it a draw at 114-114.
With so many close rounds, you could understand the 115-113 score and maybe 116-112. But Gale Van Hoye’s score of 118-110 is shocking. You could’ve had a blindfold on and the volume turned off and been more accurate. To say that Paulie Malignaggi only won 2 rounds last night is laughable.
After the fight, Malignaggi (26-3, 5 KO’s) went on a profanity laced, ‘I told you so’, tyrant. Ripping everyone, from Golden Boy Promotions, to the judges, and to the sport in general, saying “Boxing’s full of sh*t!”
For Juan Diaz (35-2, 17 KO’s), it was another exciting performance and did nothing but solidify him even more as an action packed fighter, worth watching. The crowd in Houston left happy and so did Diaz with the decision. He said after the fight that no matter the outcome of the September 19th bout between Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr., he wants another crack at Marquez, the only man to knock him out. If he gets his wish and gets his chance to avenge that defeat, and it’s anything close to that February brawl, boxing fans could have yet another can’t miss, classic to look forward to.
Robert Guerrero vs. Malcom Klassen
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, whose wife’s much publicized battle with Leukemia has made him easy to root for and for good reason, went in to last night’s clash with IBF Junior Lightweight Champion, Malcom Klassen with a chip on his shoulder. Out to prove to the boxing community, that he did not quit 2 fights ago when he suffered a cut over his eye, Guerrero took on a world class Champion, making his debut in America.
The result: The best performance of Guerrero’s young career. From the outset, Guerrero (25-1-1, 17 KO’s) used his long frame and Southpaw style to confuse the South African, Klassen and keep him off balance for the majority of the 12 rounds. Klassen (24-5-2, 14 KO’s) had only limited success in catching Guerrero inside and on breaks. The heavier puncher, Klassen seemed to be looking for that one, big shot, to turn his fortunes but could not find it.
Guerrero more than doubled Klassen’s punch output, averaging 100 a round. He, like Diaz in the main event, avenged the stigma of not being able to fight through cuts, when an accidental head butt, opened up a gash over his left eye in the 7th. He showed heart and battled through. Sticking to a perfect game plan to outwork and frustrate the champ, earning him a unanimous decision and the title.
Danny Jacobs vs. Ishe Smith
If Danny Jacobs’ handlers wanted to see their 22-year-old Middleweight prospect tested, they got their wish.
“The Golden Child” as he’s been dubbed, scratched, clawed, and brawled his way to a unanimous decision victory over 21-4(9 KO’s) veteran, Ishe Smith.
In what turned into a sloppy but entertaining, battle, Jacobs (18-0, 15 KO’s) was the busier fighter, using superior speed and length to win the vacant NABO title. The 31 year old Smith, got what he wanted in a war and baiting Jacobs into a slugfest, but outside of catching Jacobs on the ropes and on counter shots inside, he was unable to stay busy and land enough significant blows to break the will of the young Brooklyn, New York native. Jacobs showed heart and a competitive mean streak, by standing in the pocket and trading with Smith but all who watched would agree that his footwork and habit of laying on the ropes with his hands down, leave room for improvement.
Written by Jonas Knox