ELDER SURPRISES DIAZ By George Elsasser

The ESPN2 FNF Miami pit stop offered an action card last evening for live and TV viewer alike ... main event had junior welter Ebo Elder surprising undefeated Oscar Diaz over ten rounds of busy ring action.

Diaz enters at 17-0 with 10 stops and Elder returning to ring combat after a layoff following first career loss at 17-1, 11 by knockout ... and let the games begin.

Diaz had all them physical advantages of height, reach and punching power ... Elder a smaller junior welter in size worked from the port side... and it hinted of excellent Diaz opponent choice by the cunning Duva-Brooks team.

Diaz the aggressor ... Elder perpetual motion ... he's in he's out, left, right ... and the pace seemed much too quick for a guy coming off the shelf ... but while waiting for Diaz to finally catch up, the stanzas were suddenly down to a precious few.

The quicker, blown-up lightweight Elder kept pot shotting Diaz with everything in the trick bag ... couldn't hurt Oscar but sure had him confused ... and it came down to a final candle of kill or be captured ... and taken prisoner he was, to the tune of Elder 98-92,98-92,98-92.

Post Scripts: Ebo Elder ~ ESPN level talent ... good skills but gives up too much in the physical department to deal with the big names at jr. welter ... last nite's gem was probably as good as it gets.

Oscar Diaz ~ Tough to put a finger on it ... young at age 21 with good size ... not damaged goods by a long shot ... the Duva-Brooks team thought they had a made to order pigeon with a neat resumé ... maybe on paper but guess here is with experience the kid will develop into something decent. Well schooled in technique but too much a thinker at this time.

GEL