David Diaz Stops Santa Cruz in a Dramatic Fashion!

12.08.06 – By Sean Ocampo: Boxing is such an unpredictable sport. One punch can definitely change the outcome of the fight. That is what David Diaz (32-1-1 16KOs) proved tonight with his dramatic TKO victory over highly regarded WBC Interim Lightweight Champion Jose Armando Santa Cruz (23-2-0 13KOs). The fight is definitely another candidate for Fight of the Year or even Comeback of the Year..

Diaz was out hustled by the taller Sta. Cruz and was way down on the scorecards before the stoppage occurred. He practically looked pretty beaten with his swollen face and a cut in the forehead. But like a typical Mexican fighter (Diaz is from a Mexican descent) he never gave up and kept throwing punches even though he’s taking serious punishment from the champion Santa Cruz.

Diaz, who appears to be broken down by Sta. Cruz, came to life in the 10th and was able to find the perfect opportunity to land a devastating left uppercut. The punch staggered Santa Cruz and eventually made him fall to the canvas for the first time in the fight. Diaz, like a house on fire, jumped the staggering Cruz right after Cruz barely beat the 10 count. He threw a series of serious combinations to Cruz’s head that made the champion kissed the canvas again. Santa Cruz went up again but Diaz chased the champion and scored left hands. Those punches prompted referee Richard Steele to stop the fight and awarding Diaz with the victory.

Was the stoppage premature?

Even though, Diaz was pouring it Cruz in the 10th round. Santa Cruz, after the second knockdown, was backpedaling to avoid devastating punches. He got caught with left hands but not as devastating as the previous punches that Diaz unleashed. In my opinion, the stoppage was a little premature. I think a 3rd knockdown or a series of unanswered combinations would be the best time to stop the fight.

Still, this is a great win for David Diaz. He showed tremendous heart and determination for this win. This win will probably raise his stock and should use this as a catapult to bigger and much greater things in the future. David joins Juan and Julio to become the 3rd fighter with a Diaz surname to capture a world title in the Lightweight division.