Undefeated Juan ``Baby Bull'' Diaz successfully
defended his WBA lightweight title for the fifth time, unanimously
outpointing Fernando Angulo in a 12-round bout Saturday night.
The 23-year-old Diaz improved to 31-0, receiving winning scores
of 118-109 from judges Luis Pabon and Gerald Maltz and 116-111 from
Raul Caiz Sr.
Angulo (18-4) lost for the first time since July 2002. He had won
13 straight fights.
The bout, held in a ring in Chase Field's infield, featured few
fireworks.
Diaz built up a lead through the first six rounds but couldn't
put the gritty Angulo away. The Houston fighter landed several heavy
shots to Angulo's head, but each time the challenger responded with
a flurry.
Referee Raul Caiz Jr. took a point away from Angulo for holding
in the sixth round and warned him for headbutting Diaz in the
eighth.
Diaz seemed to get stronger as the bout progressed. Near the end
of the 10th, Diaz staggered Angulo with a right to the chin but the
bell rang before he could do any more damage.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
