Connect with us

Articles

Diaz, De La Hoya and China’s Taishan Win at Fantasy Springs

Published

on

INDIO, CALIF: Mix a bunch of featherweight prospects with a giant of a heavyweight, and a near sold-out crowd saw China’s Taishan and USA’s Jojo Diaz emerge with knockout victories on Thursday night.

Former U.S. Olympian Diaz (13-0, 9 Kos) walked into Fantasy Springs Casino knowing that Mexico’s Roberto Castaneda (21-7-1, 15 Kos) had knockout power and a sturdy chin. China’s heavyweight giant Taishan walked into the ring with massive shoulders that seemed to scare the life out of his opponent.

China’s near 6’10” tall Taishan (2-0, 2 Kos) needed just 2:35 to figure out the elusive Tommy Washington (3-7) before lowering the boom on the shorter fighter with a right hand anchor punch for the knockout win. Behind a steady stiff jab Taishan pressed the fight and cornered Washington and ended the fight emphatically. Is he the next Nicolai Valuev? Probably not. But he’s impressive to see walk in the ring.

In the super bantamweight showdown, Diaz’s speed proved a little difficult for Castaneda to adjust in the first round. Diaz attacked the body and sometimes the head with little return fire from the Mexican fighter.

Castaneda opened up round two on the attack. Some blasts to Diaz’s body seemed to fire him up and he returned with some blistering blows of his own. Castaneda withstood the attack.

Three successive lefts to the head by Diaz in round four seemed to spell the end of Castaneda but the Mexican withstood the blows and attempted to rally. He made it until the bell but his corner stopped the fight at the end of the round to give Diaz the win by technical knockout.

“He had to go beyond showing his skills because the guy was a little tougher,” said Ben Lira, trainer of Diaz. “He had to go beyond today.”

Diaz seems ready to attack the next tier of super bantamweights.

Other Bouts

East L.A.’s Julian “El Camaron” Ramirez was too much to handle for Mexico City’s Pedro Melo (11-6-2) , who failed to last past round four. Ramirez was the sharper fighter and was able to use his southpaw style to confuse Melo throughout.

Diego De La Hoya (8-0, 6 Kos), who hails from Mexicali, confronted Tijuana’s Ali Gonzalez (6-4) and matched wits with the rival for five rounds. He managed to floor Gonzalez in the second round with a right hand but it was indecisive if it really was a knockdown. No matter, in round five De La Hoya smartly went to the body with four single right hands before repositioning to the head. Gonzalez went down and though he beat the count he was pummeled. Referee Raul Caiz ended the fight at 1:40 of round five.

East L.A.’s Roy Tapia mauled his way past former contender Luis Maldonado to win by knockout at 2:19 of round four of a lightweight clash. Maldonado tried to keep Tapia away and was able to do it for the first three rounds until a Tapia left hook to the body sent Maldonado slumping to the floor. Another barrage of punches forced referee Ray Corona to stop the fight.

Carlos Morales (6-1-3, 2 Kos) found the antidote to Gabriel Tomaljyan’s southpaw style and won by unanimous decision after six rounds in a lightweight bout. It was a close and strategic match as Morales attacked the body and that seemed to open up things for the L.A.-based boxer. Tomaljyan (13-4-2) had some good moments when he used lead lefts but didn’t do enough. Two judges scored it 59-55 and one judge 58-56, all for Morales.

In a one-sided fight Nick Arce won his debut over Adalbert Valenzuela by fourth round knockout at 2:51 of the round. A left hook did the job in a contest that Tijuana’s Valenzuela did not seem interested in. Arce hails from Mexicali but lives in L.A.

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement Ad - Web Hosting from SiteGround - Crafted for easy site management. Click to learn more.
Advertisement Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles4 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles6 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles7 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Gibbons
Featured Articles2 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

From-HEALING-to-Hate-Muhammad-Ali-Fred-Levin-and-Florida
Featured Articles17 hours ago

The Hauser Report: From HEALING to Hate — Muhammad Ali, Fred Levin, and Florida

Gibbons
Featured Articles2 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles4 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles6 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles7 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending