Terrible judging gives fight to Diaz

By Boxing News - 08/23/2009 - Comments

diaz452345By Sam Gregory: Juan Diaz, coming off a ninth round stoppage loss in his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez in February was back at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas last night for the third time in a row to face Paul Malignaggi in the main event of HBO’s Boxing After Dark triple-header.

This fight was for the vacant WBO and NABO Jr welterweight titles.

Going into last night’s fight Juan Diaz has a record of 34-2 with 17 KO’s and was the clear cut favorite over the 26-2 with 5 KO’s Malignaggi. Both fighters agreed to the 138 and a half pound catch-weight.

Before this fight started Paul Malignaggi did a lot of complaining about the officiating and judging. I personally think he made a mistake by taking this fight…but he took it. Everything from the size of the ring to the judge’s being from the southwest all seemed to favor Diaz.

Everybody I know that scored the fight had Malignaggi winning, including HBO’s unofficial scorecard. He didn’t win by a huge margin; even a draw would have not been unreasonable. But a score of 116-112 is a disgrace.

Here’s how the fight went down:

In round one Malignaggi looked lightening fast and went right after Diaz from the opening bell. It wasn’t long until a cut developed over the left eye of Paulie.

In round 2 Diaz had Paulie backed against the ropes and landed some solid punches inside, most were 3 punch combinations. Diaz landed a solid right hook to the head of Malignaggi. Diaz developed a cut over his left eye which grew progressively worse as the fight went on. According to ringside observers the fight was caused by a right uppercut.

In round 3 Paulie threw several combinations to the head and body but most were blocked by Diaz. Every time Juan Diaz threw a punch the crowd roared regardless of it landing or not.

At this point Malignaggi was ahead 2 rounds to 1 on the unofficial scorecard

In round 4 Diaz landed a hook that Paulie countered; Juan countered off that and caught Paulie with a shot that stunned him; the crowd erupted in applause!

In round 5 Diaz landed a triple left hook; Paulie tied up, the ref pushes them apart. Diaz threw some fast shots that made the crowd roar!

In round 6 Diaz was getting his punches off faster landing first; Paulie landed 3 to the head of Diaz; Juan countered with a left right combination that had the crowd roaring again.

Between rounds the doc looked at the cut over Diaz’ eye; he said it was ok.

At this point the fight was even of the unofficial score card.

Round 7 Diaz kept the pressure on with good body shots. Paulie was getting hit with a lot of punches. Paulie threw his right and missed, Diaz countered with a good combination to the head and body.

Round 8 Paulie was landing single jabs and scoring; Diaz missed with a couple punches. Paulie landed some good shots and scored well in this round.

In round 9 Diaz had a good round scoring with some body and head combinations. Paulie kept moving to his left leaving himself open but managing to avoid most of Diaz’ punchues.

Round 10 Paulie is winning by one round on the unofficial scorecard. Diaz continued to put the pressure on Paulie; Diaz’ left eye looks worse, a good round for Malignaggi.

Round 11 Paulie’s speed has not diminished, he’s still lightening fast; Diaz lands a solid right hand; Diaz has slowed a lot in this round. Paulie finished this round looking very good.

Round 12 Diaz gets off first but Paulie lands a solid combination; Diaz lands a big left hand, Paulie answered with a solid right. Blood is streaming down the left side of Diaz’ face, they trade combinations to close the round.

The fight goes to the judge’s scorecard: 116-112, 115-113 and 118-110 all for the winner Juan Diaz. The “Baby Bull” improves his record to 35-2 with 17 Ko’s; Paul Malignaggi falls to 26-3 with 5 KO’s.



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