By Mike Nosky: Las Vegas, Nevada - Antonio Margarito weathered the early storm and outworked Antonio Diaz on his way to a tenth round technical knockout victory that earned him the WBO welterweight championship in the Showtime televised co-feature from Bally's Event Center on Saturday night.
Diaz was the aggressor in the early rounds, setting a bristling pace with straight right hands over Margarito's long, left jab. However, over the middle rounds it was the activity level of Margarito that was giving Diaz fits.
Unable to get inside the reach of the taller Margarito, Diaz was forced to try and outbox Margarito. However, Margarito is a far more polished boxer and he started leading Diaz into his shots.
The end came at 2:17of the tenth round when Diaz' corner mercifully threw in the towel to rescue their fighter from further punishment. Margarito dropped Diaz earlier in the round after a succession of left uppercuts to the point of Diaz' chin.
Margarito, 23, has not lost in six years. He has now won 18 fights in a row and has an official record of 26-3 (18). This was his first world title fight.
This was the second opportunity for the 25-year-old newlywed Diaz, 37-4 (28), to capture a world title. a world rated junior welterweight for many years, both of Diaz' title shots have come at 147lbs. Two years ago Antonio dropped a sixth round knockout to Shane Mosley for the WBC title.
|
Subscribe to feed
