Diaz returns from layoff to edge Chavez
AP News | 2009-09-27 06:19:01
<div id="subtitle">Former champion Diaz returns from layoff to beat Chavez</div><div><p>Former lightweight champion David Diaz returned from a 15-month absence to earn a majority decision victory over Jesus Chavez on Saturday night.</p><p>The 33-year-old Diaz seemed to take control during the ninth and 10th rounds, likely sealing the victory. Judge Mike Fitzgerald scored the fight 95-95, but Mauro DiFiore and Scott Dexter gave Diaz the decision by scores of 97-93 and 96-94, respectively.</p><p>"I was telegraphing my punches," Diaz said about the first few rounds. "We were both telegraphing and both missing."</p><p>Diaz, a Chicago native, hadn't been in the ring since being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao on June 28, 2008, in Las Vegas. Despite his 15-month absence, Diaz (35-2-1) looked spry through all 10 grueling rounds against Chavez (44-6-0), also a former lightweight champion who grew up in Chicago.</p><p>"I never felt that the fight slipped away from me," Chavez said. "I felt it might be some favoritism since we were in Chicago."</p><p>Juan Carlos Martinez (17-11-1) won the co-main event against Jose Andres Hernandez (22-5-0) by unanimous decision in a junior lightweight bout.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=59849648&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>
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