Last nite’s Friday Sho-Box club fight tour paused for a pit stop at Lemoore,
CA for a Robert "Ghost" Guerrero - Gamaliel Diaz featherweight squabble for
the NABF bauble - when the smoke cleared following 12 rounds of
feudin’-fussin’-fightin’ a new king was crowned.
No question this one was a toughie to score - Guerrero a prematurely (age
22) touted contender working from the port side, facing for loss of better
description, an energetic, unorthodox in style 24 year young Diaz.
Guerrero in need of serious fine tuning, but clearly the better in skills,
had the early stanzas advantage for those that appreciate accuracy over
volume - especially when Diaz the presser was missing more than scoring with
wild winging from both sides.
Diaz closes the gap through the middle candles - and then the run to the
wire of the championship rounds it would be a flip of the coin, beauty in
the eyes of the beholder scenario - a scoring judges nightmare to be sure.
Neither fighter had the other in trouble, more a Guerrero combination here
and there or a looping right or left connection by the challenger - and
finally, it would go to the scorecards.
No surprise the ring announcer began "We have a split decision" - Diaz
115-112, 114-113 and Guerrero 115-112. Anyone interested, my unofficial had
it Guerrero 115-112 in points and 7-4-1 under the round by round method.
Post Scripts: Robert Guerrero ~ Good news; the kid with the "Ghost"
sobriquet comes up short - the small league strap will always be there for
capturing - showed toughness and willingness to return fire with fire, as in
eye for eye, low blow for low blow, rabbit punch for rabbit punch. If he can
find a tutor to sharpen up the outside game with the height-reach edge he
has at Feather, he could still one day develop into contender. Youth is on
his side. Bad news; Much too mechanical in style. The past gimmes resulted
in a unnecessary aggressive approach, when a more relaxed counter style is
the smarter way to go.
Gamaliel Diaz ~ Good news; the thrill of victory on
this kid’s face was more genuine than hot dog. Never once let the "Ghost"
press clippings and media hype affect the game plan. Bad news; Not a hint of
"sweet science" in technique but picks his spots to toss them wild looping
counters. The mini-bauble he earned last noche is likely his career best.
Action kid at 24 and tough cookie. Smart move is first title defense a
Guerrero return - and tamper not with the Marquez, Chi, Harrison, Soto,
Juarez banditos at the next level.
Dan Stel ~ Qualifies more as carnival barker than ring
official. Too much to talk - final round point deduction charged to Diaz
could well have been the decider in important fight to both kids. Rabbit
punch clearly a violation BUT was retaliation for one of a few he received
from the "Ghost." This latest dumb Danny boy another victim in life of the
common sense challenged.
Nick Charles/Steve "Far-out" Farhood ~ The Sho-Box "New
Generation" series is a good one. But these two fight "expert" commentators
are much too non-stop with the commentary. Not first time these entertainers
have gone overboard on novices still in need of schooling - and then
describe the first setback as "upset."
GEL
12-02-05
