Diaz W TKO 7 Gethin: Ammeth Diaz with world class performance against brave hometown hero Martin Gethin

By Peter Wells- (twitter @boxingpeter):

Image courtesy of my very own camera phone

"A once in a lifetime chance", "he'll never get a chance like this again". These are phrases heard too much in boxing. Those who are not optimists DO NOT belong in boxing. If one cannot see beyond what there eyes show them, then they have chosen the wrong sport. For those suggesting that Martin Gethin has missed his one and only chance at contending for a world title, then they needn't look much further than the two men who fought in a small hall classic last Friday night, to prove themselves wrong.

If Martin did not have the mind set of a fighter, he would have quit many years ago. Indeed he considered giving up, but the boxer inside of him resisted the temptation - I'm sure every boxer has had to fight back the question, "What on earth am I doing this for!?". After 3 defeats in a row, Gethin refused to believe his shot at landing a British title - which he had came so close to before losing to Scott Lawton - was gone. Instead he stormed back with 8 victories in a row, to land a shot at the British Lightweight crown, which he took with both fists.

Then came the unexpected world title eliminator. Gethin had nothing to lose. But after 7 hard fought rounds, his opponent was just too powerful and too good on the night. Gethin's chance had gone. But wait! Where have we heard that before? Well look no further than the man who will take on IBF Lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez for the second time in 2 years. Yes, Ammeth Diaz is no stranger to that phrase, yet here he is again, another shot, when it looked as if his chance had passed him by.

Back in 2007, Diaz fought Souleymane M'Baye in a WBC Light Welterweight title eliminator and was stopped in four rounds. So he got back up, wiped himself down and two stoppage wins later he was involved in a WBA Lightweight title eliminator. Once again he lost, this time he was dominated on points. Next fight and a fourth round stoppage defeat, but Diaz was not finished there. Two more wins later and he was taking on Ji-Hoon Kim in a IBF Lightweight title eliminator. Once again he lost, this time in the 1st round. So surely that is it, isn't it? Not quite. Another two wins and Diaz was presented with a 4th world title eliminator. This time he made no mistake, winning in 5 rounds to set up a shot at Miguel Vazquez. Vazquez though was too good and dominated for a 12 rounds points win. But just when you think Diaz had missed his one and only chance he received and won a 5th world title eliminator, and for the 2nd time in his career he will challenge for a world crown.

The moral of the story here is... it isn't over just yet for Martin Gethin. And something tells me it is nowhere near over just yet for Diaz either. But on Friday night the quick step up in class showed as Diaz dominated the fight, and despite the crowd and Gethin's best efforts, Diaz was just too much. A badly damaged nose, a perforated eardrum and swelling around the left eye was all too much in the end. After three knockdowns, Gethin's body just wouldn't allow him to rise as he was counted out. For everyone in attendance, myself included, it was a terrific fight to witness and one that no one there will forget.

Diaz was tired of being the uninvited guest, this time he was going to make a scene, and a scene is exactly what he made. Diaz himself won many admirers Friday night, including myself.

So as the Diaz story goes on, Martin Gethin's boxing story may just have begun. If he and Diaz have learnt anything in boxing, it is that there is always another chance waiting around the corner, you just have to go and grab it.