'Best in Chicago' boxing features Chicago hometown favorite David Diaz (26-0-0), in a match with dangerous puncher Jaime Rangel (30-7-1). The evening also highlighted other local talent such as Al “Speedy” Gonzales, Luciano Perez and making his professional debut Jorge Gonzalez.

In front of an electric crowd of hometown fans, David Diaz did not disappoint as he walked to the ring as confident as you’ve ever seen him.  The #2 WBO ranked lightweight from Chicago commenced his national tour to display his talent and showcase his boxing skills by stopping hard hitting Rangel in the 9th round.  In Diaz’s opinion, this win will launch him forward to land the big fights such as the likes of Diego Corrales, Floyd Mayweather Jr., maybe even Zab Judah.

In a battle of southpaws, Rangel seemed to establish early action through the first two rounds before Diaz began compiling combinations to head and body.  A  clash caused a cut on each fighter’s head.  The fighters exchange big shots throughout middle rounds, Diaz the benefactor of points because of a busier agenda.  By 6th round Diaz was clearly controlling the pace with right-left combinations that stunned Rangel. Diaz continued pounding Rangel’s body on the inside until the 8th round when Rangel is deducted his second point for hitting below the belt. Diaz, frustrated but in clear control, wore his opponent down.  Rangel, who was tiring and down two extra points, resorted to strictly counter punching.  Late round flurries in the 8th do nothing to help him avert the Diaz onslaught of unanswered combinations in the 9th.  The Rangel corner, seemingly out of options, throws in the towel and halts the fight at 2:25 of the 9th round. Diaz by TKO.

In other action, three-time Golden Glove champion Jorge Gonzales makes his pro debut against Super Welterweight Corey Bud (6-6-0).  Gonzales dominates this fight early by drawing blood from Bud’s nose in the 1st round. Gonzales looked very comfortable by the 3rd round, stayed focused and on target against his profusely bleeding opponent to achieve a victory by four-round unanimous decision 40-36.

Also from Chicago, Luciano Perez (11-1-0) continued his ascent by destroying a clearly outmatched Jerome Elder (9-6-0) by TKO in 1:35 of the 1st round of this welterweight bout. Elder finished the fight in disbelief, but not the crowd.

Al “Speedy” Gonzales (16-1-1), after his work earlier this year with “Sugar” Shane Mosley, developed a new stance by turning to southpaw.  This happened to help Mosley prepare for Winky Wright.  In doing so for this fight, Speedy’s team boasted of an “airtight defense,” which resembled more a “window screen defense” at times with journey man Roberto Carlos Ortega (17-12-2) opening up and landing flush overhands and was able to use counter combinations to answer Speedy’s offense.  Nevertheless, Speedy did not hesitate to continue applying pressure throughout the later rounds en route to a 10-round unanimous decision in this Super lightweight contest.

Ivan Rodriguez (3-0-0) out boxed Jr. Featherweight Omar Reyes (0-2-0) to take a unanimous decision in a four round affair.  Also Michael E. Nevitt (8-0-0) continued his cruiserweight jaunt by punching Vince Durham (21-35-0) into submission 1:25 into the 5th round.  Durham just gave up by throwing his hands in the air, turning his back and walking away.  The TKO keeps Nevitt and veteran trainer Sam Colonna undefeated.

Lightweight Tommy Seonghea Pyle (2-0-1) fought to a four-round draw with Jaime Alvarado (0-2-2). Alvarado, who is under the tutelage of boxing trainer new-comer Efrain Ramos from Ft. Wayne Indiana, admits that his late start in the sport makes his journey significantly tougher.

Stay tuned for two-part series of Boxing in Chicago: Present and Future.

12-10-2004