Mexican Diaz claims WBC belt

Challenger Gamaliel Diaz of Mexico (left) punches title-holder Takahiro Aoh of Japan during their World Boxing Council super-featherweight title bout in Tokyo on October 27. Challenger Diaz used an array of right straights to score a unanimous decision over Aoh to become the new champion.

Gamaliel Diaz jabbed his way to a unanimous points’ decision win over title-holder Takahiro Aoh in Tokyo to become the new World Boxing Council super featherweight champion on Saturday.

The three judges counted it 114-112, 114-112 and 115-111 all in favour of the Mexican challenger.

“My dream came true for the first time in three attempts. I was calm from the very first round. I received a heavy punch several times, but (Aoh) was incapable of knocking me out,” said Diaz.

The 31-year-old, in his third attempt at a world title, got off to a good start, unleashing a couple of right straights to the face of the home man, and added another punishing series in the second round.

He was given a one-point penalty for intentional butting in the third round, drawing blood from Aoh’s right eyebrow, but Diaz was always on top.

A low blow in the fifth round saw him docked another point.

But the Japanese Aoh was never able to fend off Diaz’s highly effective right jabs, as the belt slipped away from him.

Diaz, ranked fourth in the WBC, improved his record to 37 wins, including 17 KOs, against nine defeats and two draws.

It was a fourth defence of the title for Aoh, 28, who saw his record reduced to 23 wins, including 10 KOs, against three defeats and a draw.

“I wasn’t strong enough to beat him. I grew intense after my sight became worse. I tried to move forward, but I lost the balance of my feelings and my fists,” said Aoh.