Gonzales Scores Decision Over Diaz in Irvine Marriott Fight

Paul Gonzales of Cerritos, a 1984 Olympic gold medal winner, Monday won a unanimous 10-round decision over Javier Diaz of Piedras Negras, Mexico, in a super flyweight bout at the Irvine Marriott Hotel.

Gonzales, 24, appeared tentative in the early rounds often falling short with his punches. But in the fifth round, Gonzales began to outpoint Diaz, driving him back and barring him from landing punches.

Diaz, 23, stunned Gonzales briefly in the seventh round with a roundhouse right to the head and a flurry of punches but in the eighth Gonzales regained control after opening a cut over Diaz’s right eye.

Judges Robert Byrd scored it 99-91; Pat Russell, 97-94 and Pat Connelly, 99-92.

Gonzales, who weighed 115 pounds, is 9-1. His only professional loss was in San Antonio, Tex. last month to Ray Medel for the United States Boxing Assn. flyweight title.

Diaz, weighing 115, is 40-14 with 18 knockouts.