Ao added to Yamanaka/Nery undercard
We last saw former 2-weight world champion Takahiro Ao, 27-3-1-1, 12KO, in May 2015 when he suffered a stoppage loss at the hands of Raymundo Beltran. The fight was later ruled a no contest as it was surrounded by controversy with Beltran failing to make weight for the bout and later failed a drugs test.
For all intent and purpose it looked like the Beltran fight would be the last we would see of Ao as a professional. However earlier today 3KingsBoxing.com was able to confirm that Ao would be returning to the ring for the first time since that bout and against a familiar opponent.
Ao will face fellow veteran Gamaliel Diaz, 40-18-3, 19KO, on March 1st. The fight will be on the undercard of the Shinsuke Yamanaka and Luis Nery rematch for the WBC Bantamweight championship. The card also features the IBF Super Bantamweight title bout between champion Ryosuke Iwasa (24-2, 16KO) and Ernesto Saulong (21-2-1, 8KO).
Ao and Diaz previously fought in October 2012, with Diaz winning a unanimous decision over Ao to claim the WBC Super Featherweight title. Unfortunately for Diaz he has went 2-9-1 since the win over Ao. Ao strung together a four fight win streak following his fight with Diaz prior to the no contest with Beltran.
By: Chris Henderson
