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12/13/2003 Archived Entry: "David Diaz and Al Gonzalez"
Fire and Ice: David Diaz and Al Gonzalez Win Unanimous Decisions
By Juan C. Ayllon
Photos by Edward Zajac
Flabby Sanchez tries to measure Diaz
Chicago, IL - It couldn’t have been scripted any better; an average looking, middle aged hispanic woman dressed in blue jeans and light pink sweater climbed through the ropes minutes before the festivities began. She turned to the crowd and yelled, “You’re all going to hell!” She repeated her cry with the angst and passion of a television Evangelist before security ushered her out of the ring.
During the main event, junior welterweight David Diaz knew exactly what stood across the ring from him. Frankie Sanchez looked soft, sporting a physique reminiscent of Tony Ayala, Jr. at his flabbiest. Yet, Diaz knew better. Previously, Sanchez absorbed the best shots of rising stars Kermit Cintron and Francisco Bojado and fought back hard.
They were an odd pairing. The sculpted and taller David Diaz versus the portly and stouter Sanchez. Diaz looked like a walking advertisement for Balley’s Health Club that he is known to frequent for cardio work now and again. Sanchez looks like a walking advertisement for an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The more athletic of the two, David Diaz effectively threw faster, crisper combinations - quick left and right hooks to the body, sharp uppercuts and straight punches down the middle. He also used excellent upper and lower body movement, avoiding many of Sanchez’ blows.
Sanchez, on the other hand, caught Diaz’ punches well, but used subtle shifts and turns of head and body to take the sting off incoming blows. He gave David angles and switched from southpaw stance to right hand. He, too, threw combinations, although his frequently caught air, shoulders and arms, as opposed to their intended target.
Diaz sets up body attack
Throughout the fight, it was as if Sanchez was a half step slower than Diaz and threw maybe two punches for David Diaz’ four or five. As such, he was consistently getting beat to the punch. By my count, Sanchez had his head snapped back maybe four or five times and was stunned a couple of times less. However, like Jake LaMotta versus Ray Robinson, he never went down.
Their most competitive round was the sixth. Personally, I thought David Diaz won that round narrowly. Either way, both engaged in toe-to-toe warfare, bringing the largely hispanic audience to its feet in a roaring crescendo. The final round proved almost as entertaining, as both combatants pressed the action hard. However, David Diaz’ superior work rate, crisper punching, superior speed and boxing carried the round, as well as the fight. Diaz won by unanimous decision, eight.
Earlier, rising junior welterweight Al “Speedy” Gonzalez (12-0)—who in the past had spirited sparring sessions with David Diaz—fought a surprisingly scrappy bout versus Carlos Nevarez. Don’t get me wrong, there was no doubt who won the fight. Gonzalez lived up to his moniker and demonstrated superior speed and movement in out hustling and out punching Nevarez. However, Nevarez won the crowd over in his losing efforts with his never-say-die attitude.
Speedy Gonzalez on the inside
Knocked down early, cut above and below his left eyelids and bleeding from the nose, Nevarez came on to make it a compelling match until the final bell. Interestingly enough, Carlos Nevarez rarely, if ever threw punches to the body, favoring the head as his favorite target. A good looking kid, he almost looked like he was Julio Caesar Chavez’ kid brother.
Gonzalez, on the other hand, bore a striking resemblance to a smaller version of Bernard Hopkins, especially in the face. Thus, Nevarez’ physical appearance, as well as his gritty attitude, may have played to his favor in his winning over the crowd.
To his credit, Al Gonzalez maintained his composure, didn’t get rattled when hit, boxed better and fired the harder, crisper shots. He fought hard and hung tough when he had to. Gonzalez won by unanimous decision in six rounds.
The good news is, no one went to hell by the end of a good night of boxing.
Promoter - 8-Count Productions
