Published: July 17, 2008 12:02 pm            

Diaz in critical condition following title fight

Boxing

San Antonio — Oscar Diaz stood up from his corner after referee Rafael Ramos asked him if he wanted to continue following the 10th round. When he said he could, the collective voice of about 1,200 fans chanted his name.

Five seconds later, the arena was silent and all that could be heard were the cries of Diaz’s wife.

After taking nine straight rounds of stiff jabs, Diaz’s body gave out — and the pugilist collapsed to the canvas.

Until the tragic moment, Diaz and Delvin Rodriguez slugged it out in the main event of “Wednesday Night Fights” on ESPN2. Diaz and Rodriguez were fighting for the vacant United State Boxing Association Welterweight title.

Billed as an even fight on paper, it proved to be in the ring. Both boxers traded devastating combinations, rocking each other’s heads and bodies. Diaz (26-3, 12 KO) staggered Rodriguez in the fourth, but the 28-year-old from Danbury, Conn., fought back with trademark jabs.

“After the fourth round, I knew I had him,” Rodriguez said. “I saw his eyes and face were swelling and it was just a matter of time. My jabs felt comfortable and were coming out clean and catching him flush.”

With each successive jab, Diaz’s face ballooned around the cheeks and forehead. Near the end of the eighth round, Diaz’s right eye was cut and nearly swollen shut. Rodriguez (23-2-1, 14 KO) teed off on the helpless fighter.

Diaz’s corner worked feverishly to slow the swelling, but to no avail. Rodriguez landed a strong jab-cross combination in the ninth, sending Diaz reeling into the ropes. Diaz recovered and caught Rodriguez clean, but it didn’t slow Rodriguez’s attack.

“I just wanted to stay calm and throw everything behind the jab,” Rodriguez said. “After the fourth and fifth round, the win was on my mind. I knew I could extend my combinations.”

Once the tenth round ended, both boxers returned to their corners. Diaz, visibly shaken, steadied himself on the ropes, not wanting to take a seat. When he did, Ramos was the first to check on him.

Ramos held a few fingers in front of Diaz’s face and asked if he wanted him to call the bout. Diaz said “yes,” but slurred his words after and couldn’t stand up. He laid sprawled out on the canvas and the boisterous crowd went silent.

Medics rushed to Diaz’s aide, checking his vital signs and fitting him with an oxygen mask. Diaz’s entourage surrounded his side, trying to block cameras and consoling his grief-stricken wife. Rodriguez stood in his corner, arm raised, but shocked in his bittersweet victory.

“Right now, I’m feeling for (Diaz),” Rodriguez said. “You just hope that he’s going to be okay. But, it’s a big win for me. It’s a huge step forward in my career.”

Diaz underwent surgery Thursday morning at the University Medical Center in San Antonio to relieve brain swelling. He is in critical condition.

        

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