This Saturday night Jorge Linares (24-0, 15 KOs) puts his WBC featherweight title on the line against Gamaliel Diaz (22-6-2, 9), at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Mexico. For Linares, it is a chance to display his immense talent as he awaits a major showdown in the New Year.
If you haven?t heard of Linares, you won?t be alone. His first major victory recently came against tough veteran Oscar Larios in July of 2007. This is was the first true test of 22-year-old Venezuelan?s career, and he passed with something to spare. In Larios, he coped with one of the most insistent warriors in the game, dominating a fighter who has been in with the some boxing?s best including pound for pounders Manny Pacquiao and Israel Vasquez.
Linares, also known as ?the Golden Boy,? proved the he has the toughness to go along with his incredible skills. His unique blend of power, speed ? of hand and foot ? and ring generalship makes him one of the sport?s rising stars. Many have compared his skills to another fighter who shared the ?Golden Boy? moniker, Oscar de la Hoya; and though it\’s still early, Linares may have even more panache.
The reason he is not well known on this side of the world is because he lives in Japan. The promotional company that represents him, Teiken, is based in Tokyo; Linares was first noticed by trainer Rudy Hernandez, a trainer with ties to Japan?s promotional giant, as a teenager. At the age of 17, Linares moved to Tokyo to kick off his pro career. It was not always easy. He says it has been a hard and lonely transition.
The Venezuelan has adjusted nicely, stating, ?Now if I am away from Japan for more than two weeks I want to go home.? He has even learned to speak the language. His comfort at his second home translates well to his relaxed fighting style. Though he lacks the aggression of Latino former champions like Marco Antonio Barrera or Erik Morales, he doesn?t need it. Linares fights with much more controlled aggression, using superior skills and counter punching to baffle and break down opponents. At 5?8?, he is a tall featherweight who fights in an exciting style while still managing to avert unnecessary risks.
In his destruction of Oscar Larios, he displayed a perfect combination of poise and skill. For many fans, it was the first chance they had to watch the young phenom. The bout, on the undercard to Bernard Hopkins v Winky Wright, was one of Linares? few fights outside of Asia, and his first for a version of a world title (the bout was billed as being for the Interim version of the WBC title belonging to Injin Chi; when Chi retired, Linares became champion outright). Yet he stole the show, during his ten round clinic.
He has all the tools to continue his assault to the top and stay there for a while. His stellar amateur career has helped him achieve this much at such an early age. An 84-5 record and several national titles have him poised for success on boxing?s big stage.
Though the victory against Larios proved that Linares is much more than just a promising prospect, he still has a mountain of unproven potential, and several big fights in front of him. 122-pound champion Israel Vasquez has recently called him out, though there are many more options out there for the stylish and accomplished Venezuelan; stablemate, countryman, monstrous hitter and WBA super featherweight champ Edwin Valero, is anther tasty option.
Fighting on hostile ground ? Diaz is from Mexico ? tonight, Linares is unlikely to take things for granted. The rookie champ could be facing a lot worse than Diaz, especially for a first title defense, in his opponent?s backyard.
Though Diaz has a somewhat spotty record, most of his blemishes came in his first couple of years as a professional, and the Mexican, only 26, has fought in good company. One of his early losses came on points to Juan Diaz ? now an outstanding lightweight champion ? and Diaz?s career high point came just two years ago, when he bested Robert Guerrero via split decision. Diaz would lose the rematch by KO in the middle of 2006. There was no shame in that, as Guerrero went on to win the IBF 126-pound title twice.
It could be a tough night for Linares, but expect Diaz to bring the best out of him.
