Marali Decisions Diaz Over Twelve in South Africa

Apr 2, 2009 • 12:00 AM ET

By Mark Vester

Zolani Marali (20-2, 13KOs) of South Africa won a unanimous twelve round decision over Mexico's Gamaliel Diaz (23-9-2, 8KOs) to capture the vacant IBO super featherweight title at the Emperor's Palace in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. Diaz was coming off an eleven round stoppage loss to Humberto Soto from last August.

Ringside observers said the fight was dirty, with a lot of wrestling that saw the two fighters often fall to the mat. Marali knocked Diaz down during the fight. Marali was coming off what many called a very controversial loss to Billy Dib from last July. Most saw him as the clear winner and he also dropped Dib during their fight. The judges gave a close unanimous decision to Dib.