Posts Tagged ‘Juan Diaz’

Juan Diaz Still Mulling Retirement

Posted: January 18, 2011 in Fight News
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Former lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz is still undecided about whether to retire.

Diaz has lost the majority of his fights since suffering an upset, unanimous decision loss to Nate Campbell in 2008. In his last six fights, Diaz is 2-4, dropping his last two by unanimous decision to Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Despite being only 27, Diaz’s career options appear limited. Juan Manuel Marquez is the lightweight champion, and proved his dominance over Diaz by defeating him twice. Junior welterweight has many emerging talents. But Diaz did not look sharp in fighting Malignaggi at 137 and 138 pounds, lowering the likelihood that Diaz can compete against bigger fighters with his already limited punching power.

Following the Marquez loss last July, HBO commentator Jim Lampley asked Diaz if he would retire. With the possibility of a law career looming, Diaz remained non-committal, advising a decision would be announced after consulting family members.

Six months later, Diaz still finds the life-altering move difficult to make.

“To all my hardcore fans I really want to thank you for all the support,” Diaz wrote on Twitter. “I am sorry I have not posted my decision about my boxing career… I did not think this decision would be this hard. I am still not sure on this decision but will notify you all as soon as I make it!!!!”

Juan Diaz’s record is 35-4, with 17 KOs. He is currently ranked in the Top 10 of one sanctioning body, the WBO, which has him at #10.

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A Salute to Nate Campbell

Posted: November 30, 2010 in Fight News
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As everyone as heard by now, former lightweight champion Nate Campbell announced his retirement yesterday (November 29) following an upset loss to Walter Estrada this past Saturday (November 27). Campbell, who started boxing professionally very late at 28 years old, defied the odds and made it to the top of the boxing world by his mid-30′s. Beats, Boxing & Mayhem takes a look back at five important fights from the Galaxxy Warrior’s career.

5. Nate Campbell vs. Joel Casamayor (January 25, 2003)

They were close in age (Campbell’s 30 to Casamayor’s 31), but the experience gap when these two fought was huge. Casamayor had been a celebrated amateur with gold medal wins going back to 1989. Campbell had just five years boxing experience and three years as a professional. The battle was close, with many hard rounds to score. In the end, Casamayor took a unanimous decision win. But in defeat, Campbell had learned he could compete with the very best.

4. Nate Campbell vs. Robbie Peden I (March 14, 2004)

The Casamayor loss yielded a positive assessment of Nate Campbell’s skills. This one served as an embarrassing wake-up to take his craft serious. Campbell was dominating Robbie Peden in this fight. In this final sequence, Campbell arrogantly mocked Peden by dropping his hands and allowing for a free shot. The foolish move resulted in Campbell not only being knocked out, but losing a shot at the IBF super-featherweight title. A few years ago, Campbell had this to say when I asked him what he learned from this fight.

“It was a great but grave defeat. If it wasn’t for that fight, I wouldn’t be world champion,” he explained. “I learned from the fight. And with boxing, it is what it is.”

3. Nate Campbell vs. Kid Diamond (Almazbek Raiymkulov) (October 1, 2005)

A focused Nate Campbell showed no mercy when he abused Kid Diamond for 10 rounds. Unlike the Peden fight, where arrogance momentarily took over, Campbell was all business in this beatdown. The fight served as a big statement on a PPV undercard that put him right back in title contention.

2. Nate Campbell vs. Ali Funeka (February 14, 2009)

Campell had just won the lightweight title in his previous bout, and was hoping to have a long championship reign. Unfortunately, his body had other plans. Campbell couldn’t shed enough weight to make the 135 pound limit, and he lost the titles he worked so hard for. Ironically, it was on the scales and not in the ring. He moved forward with this fight against an imposing 6’1 fighter in Ali Funeka. Campbell struggled to neutralize the height advantage, and usually young fighters like Funeka are able to take out aging vets. But Campbell escaped a probable loss with two key knockdowns to take a disputed majority decision. A bittersweet end to his days as a lightweight.

 

1. Nate Campbell vs. Juan Diaz (March 8, 2008)

No one gave Campbell much of a chance when he entered the ring against unified lightweight champion Juan Diaz. Diaz was undefeated, and had started being listed on the bottom half of pound for pound lists courtesy of his eight title defenses. Campbell wasn’t impressed, and turned Diaz’s signature swarming style against him with sharp, in-close counterpunching. Diaz suffered a bad, dripping cut over his left eye, and was compromised for most of the bout. This decision win would be the crowning achievement of Campbell’s career. It defines a career that survived for 10 years in boxing with unwavering self-belief.

 

Nate Campbell’s final career record is 33-7-1, with 25 KOs. All the best to the Galaxxy Warrior in retirement!

Showtime Adds Hopkins-Pascal to Network TV, Eliminates PPV

Posted: October 15, 2010 in Fight News
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In December, boxing fans will be able to keep a little more hard-earned money in their pockets, as Showtime confirmed the light-heavyweight title match between Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal will not be a PPV event.

When the bout was initially confirmed for December 18, reports stated the clash was set for PPV. However, Showtime executives sees the fight fitting into their core boxing programming for that month, which includes the beginning of their four man, bantamweight tournament.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this important championship fight directly to our loyal subscribers and fight fans,” explained Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Showtime Sports.  “This is a milestone fight for each man’s respective career and thus this matchup fits perfectly into our programming strategy to televise the most competitive and meaningful bouts in the sport.”

Golden Boy Promotions, who promotes Bernard Hopkins, have tried to lessen the criticism of their recent PPVs like Mosley-Mora and Diaz-Marquez II by making sure each card had competitive undercard bouts. Hershman, who created the Super Six Boxing Classic, credits Golden Boy with adjusting their business model and opting to not have another high-priced PPV to close out the year.

“I want to thank the promoters for this event-Group Yvon Michel Inc., Golden Boy Promotions-and of course the fighters themselves for working with us to bring this bout to our faithful audience,” Hershman stated. “It’s an early holiday present for Showtime fight fans.”

Fans can catch Hopkins and Pascal on tour at the below locations through October 20. Their match will be for the WBC light-heavyweight title.

PASCAL vs. HOPKINS TOUR DATES AND CITIES  

Monday, October 18                         Quebec City, Canada (Morning)

Quebec City Hall

 

Montreal, Canada (Afternoon)

Studio NRJ

 

Tuesday, October 19                        Toronto, Canada

Air Canada Centre

 

Wednesday, October 20                   New York City

Planet Hollywood – Times Square

 ***********************************************************************

Thank God. Boxing fans have been treated to some wretched PPVs this year, and it’s good to hear that won’t be the case with Pascal-Hopkins.

It appears that Showtime is more flexible with boxing dates than HBO. A lot of times, promoters claim they have no choice but to go the PPV route because they can’t get any TV spots. As long as they have sufficient time to prepare, Showtime never seems to have that problem. When comparing them, HBO puts an emphasis on creating stars, while Showtime looks to create great fighters. That may change soon, since HBO has been more adamant about not letting their name fighters coast with repeated mismatches or uninteresting fights.

Unless your name is Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather, you shouldn’t be on PPV.

Marquez Wins Decision Over Diaz, Jacobs Suffers Stunning TKO Loss

Posted: August 1, 2010 in Fight Reports
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Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5, 37 KOs) still proved too smart and skilled for a determined Juan Diaz (35-4, 17 KOs), while middleweight prospect Danny Jacobs fell victim to an unusual Russian fighter last night (July 31) at the Mandalay Bay.

As Diaz and Ronnie Shields both told Beats, Boxing and Mayhem in previous interviews, the Baby Ball fought early on behind the jab. The Houston native was very composed, and did not fall in with the reckless shots and leaky defense that sunk him in the first fight. But Marquez as the better boxer was still able to catch Diaz with nice counter left hooks and uppercuts. In another 180 from the first fight, Diaz would give ground instead of engaging in machismo punch exchanges whenever the action got too intense.

Marquez hurt Diaz bad in the fourth with a lead left uppercut. The Baby Bull wobbled back towards the ropes as Marquez pounced with hooks and shot the uppercut again. Diaz was composed in his strategic retreat and survived despite losing the round big. Ronnie Shields warned him in the corner that he got caught for standing straight in front of Marquez with no angles.

That round would be important, as it signaled Marquez’s dominance for the rest of the fight. In the middle rounds, Marquez was all business and continued working Diaz over with counters. For nearly every punch Diaz threw, he received 3-4 punch counters in a varied assortments of straights, hooks and of the course the deadly left uppercut. The only positive for Diaz in this stretch was Marquez’s eye beginning to swell in the 8th, which the champion attributed to an errant thumb in the previous round.

Diaz never stopped trying in the championship rounds, but Marquez had too much skill and power for the 26-year-old former champion. The final scorecards read 116-112, 118-110 and 117-111. Marquez’s accuracy was great, landing 168 of 348 punches (48%). Diaz struggled all night to land cleanly going 74 out of 243 for 30%.

In the post-fight interview, Diaz was non-committal about whether this would be his final fight.

“I’ve got to sit down with my trainers and managers and really consider my future in boxing,” explained Diaz, who takes the LSAT exam in October and has lost 4 of his last 6 fights. “I have to really consider all the facts and see what happens from here on out. I’ve put up a hell of a fight for 10 years and that’s more than most fighters stay in the game…The opportunies are endless all around the globe.”

Even with being the linear lightweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez still has his mind set on a rubbermatch with rival Manny Pacquiao. Marquez scored a draw in their first battle and a narrow, highly controversial decision loss in the second bout.

“The trilogy is the best thing for the fans.I want it, the Filipino and Mexican fans want it and so do all the fans who follow boxing,” he said.

On the undercard promising middleweight prospect Danny Jacobs fell victim to a 5th round TKO loss courtesy of a pinpoint straight right hand from Russian Dmitry Pirog.

From the outset Jacobs had problems landing on Pirog, who unlike most European pugilists used upper body and head movement combined with constant pressure. Pirog almost scored a knockdown in the second when a right hand badly wobbled Jacobs against the ropes. The Brooklyn fighter was a few centimeters from his rear touching the ground and only stayed upright by grabbing onto Pirog’s legs.

Jacobs was backed to the ropes again in the 5th, confused with Pirog’s stance changes and angles. The Russian contender capitalized on that hesitation with another right hand that knocked Jacobs unconsciousness. Motionless on his back, referee Robert Byrd call the fight off after a five second count. The end signal triggered Jacob’s brain to recover, and he stood upright in attempts to protest.

The win gives Pirog the WBO middleweight belt that was stripped from true division champion Sergio Martinez following his victory over Kelly Pavlik.

HBO continues to have high hopes for Jacobs. This was evident by the fact the network chose to interview the knockout victim exclusively instead of a possible new division star in Dmitry Pirog.

Jacobs blamed the loss on bad camp that resulted from the recent death of his grandmother. He vowed to make a focused return.

Jorge Linares fought well behind a consistent, hard jab to secure a decision win over Rocky Juarez. As has become his pattern, Juarez came on strong in the last two rounds by couldn’t land the home run shot.

Robert Guerrero took a boring decision over faded Joel Casamayor. Guerrero scored an early knockdown off a straight left in the second, but was overly respectful and tentative against his former mentor. Casamayor scored his own flash knockdown late off a jab but still lost a unanimous decision.

Super middleweight Sakio Bika was DQ’d in the first round after slamming a vicious uppercut to a down Jean Paul Mendy. Bika was on his way to a stoppage victory when he smashed Mendy with the shot as he took a knee. Bika hesistated for a few seconds when Mendy was down before unleashing the haymaker. Mendy fell flat on his face and took several minutes to recover.

Diaz-Marquez II Weigh-In Results: Diaz 135, Marquez 133.5

Posted: July 30, 2010 in Fight News
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Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez met for the final time before their anticipated rematch tomorrow night.

Marquez made his return to lightweight by coming in at a trim and cut 133 ½ pounds. Diaz, who is said to have had a phenomenal camp, looked very lean right at the 135 pound limit. Gone was the Baby Bull’s usual pudgy stomach. However, it remains to be seen how much weight he puts on tomorrow.

Both men looked as if they made the weight comfortably. The fight will be for Marquez’s WBO and WBA titles.

In the first fight their weights were 134 ¼ for Marquez and 134 ½ for Diaz.

The PPV card begins tomorrow night at 9PM EST.

 

Other Weights

Robert Guerrero (138) vs. Joel Casamayor (138.5)

Rocky Juarez (132) vs. Jorge Linares (132.5)

Danny Jacobs (159) vs. Dmitry Pirog (160)

Danny Jacobs: The Next American Middleweight Star?

Posted: July 30, 2010 in Fight Interviews
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The middleweight division has failed to have a dominant champion since the Bernard Hopkins left the weight class several years ago. HBO invested much time and money trying to create new legends in Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik. But lackluster defenses, career-threatening injuries and shocking upsets have effectively ended the chances of those two being crossover stars.

Enter Danny Jacobs, a 23 year old rising prospect out of Brooklyn. Undefeated in 20 fights (with 17 KOs) with balanced speed and power, Jacobs has the skills and personality to engage the public while thriving in a wide open division. Tomorrow (July 31), he seeks his first belt in a WBO title match against slick Dmitry Pirog on the Diaz-Marquez II undercard. Is he looking to unify immediately? Is he comfortable with the now controversial Al Haymon’s handling of his career? Read on.

Ismael AbduSalaam: Since you’re still building your name, explain for people who don’t know you how you got into boxing over more popular sports like football and basketball.

Danny Jacobs: I used to play football but had a defining moment where I decided I should go into this boxing program. It was the last play and we were down, and if we would’ve scored a touchdown we would’ve won it. I was in the end zone and the quarterback decided to run instead of throwing me the ball and we lost the game. He got sacked.

As of that moment, I chose boxing because I wanted to have my fate and my destiny in my hands.  And I’ve stuck with boxing ever since.

Ismael: Was it easy for you to find a gym and get mentored?

Jacobs: It was easy for me, I lucked up I guess. Being an inner-city kid I went to the local PAL which was free because I didn’t have any money or my family. It wasn’t the top trainer guys, but we worked with what we had. Me starting from ground zero shows you can make it when you set your mind to do something.

Ismael: Even from the start you’ve gotten work on the big PPV cards, beginning with Mayweather-Hatton in 2007. Being around all those stars, have you been able to interact with them and get advice?

Jacobs: Luckily I’ve been able to interact with all those guys. I never dreamed that I’d be sitting next to Mayweather just lounging and talking, or Oscar De La Hoya coming to me in the dressing room to see if I’m ok going into my fight. These are the guys I looked up to and couldn’t imagine being in my corner as I come up the professional ranks. It’s definitely a blessing; a lot of people don’t have this opportunity and I want to make the best of it.

Ismael: Before you, HBO put a lot of time in building up Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik as the next middleweight stars. It didn’t pan out that way for them. Based on the way you’re carrying the weight, do you see middleweight as a division you’ll spend a lot of time at?

Jacobs: Well, it’s a business at the end of the day. If I have to go to 168 to get a big fight that the fans want to see, I’ll do that. But I plan to campaign at 160 for a number of years. It’s not easy to make, but it’s good because it makes you work harder to lose the weight. So I think we’ll campaign at 160 for a little while and then move on up to 168 in a couple of years.

Ismael: Being that you mentioned the weight challenge, what is your normal walk-around weight when you are not fighting?

Jacobs: I walk around maybe 173 to 174. That’s where I was after my last fight so that would be probably it. So it’s not that hard to lose 15 pounds for a fight if you have five to six weeks to do it.

Ismael: This fight will be for the WBO strap. Just looking at the middleweight division if you win, is your team planning on making a few defenses or immediately trying to unify?

Jacobs: Well we’re taking it one step at a time. My manager Al Haymon has a plan, [but] I don’t know the whole plan as he doesn’t give it to us. We don’t like to look ahead; we look to focus on the near future. And the near future is July 31. Whatever he has in store after that [I’m ready]. He’s full of surprises so I’m blessed. I don’t know at this point what he wants to do with my career at this point, or what my team has planned, but my job is to just train hard and fight. Whatever success I have after that is in the hands of them. I just have to do my job.

Ismael: I hadn’t seen much of your opponent Dmitry Pirog before this fight was announced. He has a good knockout record at 16-0, 13 KOs. What’s your impression of him as a fighter?

Jacobs: I wouldn’t categorize him as a knockout puncher. He has a very large arsenal of just a volume of punches. He has good angles. He has a Mayweather-like defense. It’s not as good as Mayweather but he tries. So he’s a very awkward, strong Russian. But I think my speed, power, and ability to adjust will play a big factor in this fight.

Ismael: Your style is pretty versatile in that you can fight going forward or backward and still retain your power and speed. Was there anyone you modeled yourself after when you first training?

Jacobs: Well, I’d like to think I emulated the top amateurs. I loved the amateur system and a lot of the top guys were so finesse and fluid, so I watched a lot of their tapes. But as a professional I don’t think I modeled myself after anyone. I pick up things here and there from watching old and new fighters. But nobody in particular; I just train hard and try to form my own style and perfect.

Ismael: A lot of people say your toughest fight so far was against Ishe Smith. But I wanted to get your take on your toughest opponent.

Jacobs: My toughest test is between the Ishe fight and the Michael Walker fight. [With the Walker bout] I took that fight on like a week’s notice and then I fought the following week. So I fought two fights like within a week. That was pretty cool. But Ishe Smith was a rugged, defensive guy with crafty movement. I definitely learned a lot with him. You want to see a good prospect in fights like that to see if he’ll fold or make it. And I made it. Hopefully we’ll continue to climb up the ladder and have those tough fights to where I’ll have mastered every style and it’ll be nothing new to me.

Ismael: People and particularly networks believe you have to have strong back stories and characters to sell fights today. As someone coming up has your team brought that up to you, or have you been allowed just to focus on fighting?

Jacobs: They really don’t stress regarding the media because I think my personality speaks for itself. I think I have a very cool personality; I’m an outgoing guy. So it kind of goes along with it. If I was a real dog guy then maybe they’d pick up and say hey you got to get the people’s attention. I’m a respectable young gentleman so that’ll take me a long way. People like the positive but they also like the villain. But you’ll go a lot further if you’re the good guy. And it flows natural.

Ismael: Being that you loved the amateur style what was your biggest adjustment moving to professional boxing?

Jacobs: Taking my time because in the amateurs you fight two minutes as opposed to three. And the guys in the professional ranks have smaller gloves, no headgear, and no shirts. You have to get adjusted to being hit by grown men with man strength. You also have to get adjusted to running more miles and training harder. All around you have to train to have a bigger arsenal because these are not four two-minute rounds. Those were the biggest things. It wasn’t that hard but it’s a never-ending learning process.

Ismael: Looking at your last few fights, what is the biggest facet of your game that you want to improve on?

Jacobs: I think my offense is superb, it’s flawless. But there are defensive things I can work on; like gym habit things like pulling back with your hands down. Things you can get away with in the gym. But in the fight you have smaller gloves and the punches are coming a lot faster as opposed to sparring. Little stuff like that I have to get better at.

Ismael: Did you have a prediction for a main event between Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez?

Jacobs: Both those guys are great champions. They’re both coming off two losses. But they’re both as hungry as ever to get back to that level. It’s makes for a great show but I don’t have a prediction yet. But I’m looking forward to a great night of boxing.

Ismael: Young, creative ideas are always essential to any industry. What are the top changes you would make in the sport to make boxing better?

Jacobs: [Pauses] Well I could only bring what I possess, and that’s bringing a positive light to it. The true boxing fans know my skills. But if the opportunity comes to be in the spotlight more, I think the people would draw a liking to me and it would be a great, positive impact on the sport. A lot of guys talk trash and a lot of people don’t see their positive side because they’re so focused on trying to sell a fight. I bring a different approach. When De La Hoya came up he was like the best thing. He was the Golden Boy. And that’s why they call me the Golden Child [laughs]. I’m trying to follow in those footsteps but just put a little more spice to it.

Ismael: Are you comfortable with the pace you’re being brought along with?

Jacobs: I think the pace is perfect. The opponents have been stepping up every fight. The superstardom comes with time. So I can’t get mad and want it to come fast because it may come too fast and I won’t be able to handle it. I want to acclimated to it. I still young and hopefully we’ll get this WBO belt on Saturday. Everything is going according to plan.

Ismael: Anything you wanted to add to close?

To my fans you can follow me on Twitter @danieljacobstko and on Facebook through my email heavyhitter404@yahoo.com. Just come on this journey with me. I’m always in tune with my fans and like to interact. I really appreciate it, man.

Juan Diaz: The Baby Bull’s Revenge?

Posted: July 29, 2010 in Fight Interviews
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It’s rare that a fighter faces a potential career-ending bout at 26 years old. But that is the case with Juan Diaz, whose career as an elite fighter rests on his rematch showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez this Saturday (July 31). While an exciting pressure fighter, Diaz has lost the majority of his fights over the past two years. And the Baby Bull has made it clear that retirement is a better option than becoming a division stepping stone or going through a prolonged rebuilding phase.

The task in front of him is daunting. In Marquez, Diaz is fighting the best counter-puncher in the sport. Diaz’s pressure style and lack of punching power gives his opponent the opportunity to time him with precision shots as the fight progresses. But one thing you can’t quantify is Diaz’s will, and with a few strategic adjustments he explains why July 31 will redeem his career.

Ismael AbduSalaam: Thank for making time Juan I know the scheduled is tight with the fight coming up. Has it been difficult for you to adjust to the criticism you’ve been getting over the past year or so? Before the losses it was straight glowing accolades from the fans and the media.

Juan Diaz: No problem. I haven’t really bothered paying attention to any of the criticism or what the critics have to say. There’s always going to be people criticizing [and] those that love you and those that hate you. It comes with the territory. And I know internationally that’s how history has been in the past. Even the great fighters of the past decades have been criticized when they don’t look so good. Most of the time the spotlight is on me since I’m in the main event. I just have to take it and roll with it.

Ismael: How would you rate Marquez’s punching power? You’ve said before you felt you had the edge until the later rounds. Did his punch surprise you any?

Diaz: I definitely need to worry. But it’s not so much his punching power; it’s his accuracy. All the punches you think you’ve going to block, you don’t block them. He has tremendous accuracy with every punch he throws and lands, so I have to be careful. That’s what I’ve been concentrating on for the rematch.

Ismael: This is something you can’t really “prepare” for, but people before have talked about how you’ve reacted to cuts in the first fight and the Campbell fight. You were rattled, but of course if you can’t see that’ll rattle any fighter. Have you thought about any way you could retain your calmness if God forbid that happened again?

Diaz: I definitely can. With the fights and being cut you learn from the experience how to deal with it. The first time I got seriously cut [with Nate Campbell] I went into defensive mode. I was waiting too much. The time I got cut with Marquez I was too aggressive and put on a lot pressure. It cost me the fight. If it ever does occur again then I know exactly what I’m going to do, and that is not get too aggressive but not go completely defensively minded.

Ismael: You and Ronnie have talked about the importance of the jab in this fight. In the first one, you were able to drive Marquez to the ropes with it. But we also know the difficulty that comes with trying to hit Marquez repeatedly with the same punch. What provision have you guys put in place to prevent him from being able to counter your jab as the fight goes on?

Diaz: One of the things we’ve worked on is not getting hit with so many clean punches over and over and being an open target. The concentration is on not being an easy target too hit. I might be applying the same amount of pressure, but I’ll be smart about it.

Ismael: Management is always looking at the next matchups that can come out of a fight. Has Golden Boy indicated to you who they want to see you fight next should you win?

Diaz: Well right now there haven’t been any talks of a next fight or potential fight because I didn’t want to hear anything about that. Whenever they mention a potential opponent I just kind of change the conversation, because I know without beating Marquez there is no next opponent.

And by beating Marquez that opens up the doors to many opponents.

Ismael: You’re still a young fighter at 26. But have there been any changes to your body or stamina that have stood out to you in the last year or two? Or do you feel the same as you did in your late teens and early 20s?

Diaz: I definitely feel some changes. My body has matured a little bit more. I feel a little bit stronger than I did in the past, especially at lightweight. But I get a little bit sorer nowadays; before that wouldn’t happen as much. I can definitely tell the years of fighting and training is beginning to take its toll.

Ismael: Everyone is aware of your law school aspirations. Did you already take the test or is that on hold because of the fight?

Diaz: It’s on hold right now. I haven’t taken the test yet. I have to properly prepare for something like that, so I’ve put it on hold for now.

Ismael: Looking at the lightweight landscape, how do you rate the overall health of the division? Outside of you and Marquez, do you think the weight class is strong or in transition?

Diaz: The light weight division is really competitive right now. You have a lot of guys making the transition from junior lightweight to lightweight. And you have a lot of guys coming up and a lot retiring. So I think we’re in the transition phase but still have good fighters.

Ismael: You mentioned earlier you feel stronger now. Pertaining to Marquez, did you feel that you had a strength and speed advantage in the first fight?

Diaz: In the first fight I let my ego take control of the fight. And I think that’s why I lost the first fight so big. My heart was just content on moving forward and not listening to the trainer or strategy, just fighting. This past year has helped me out in the way I think and listen to my corner.

Ismael: Who are your favorite fighters to watch personally?

Diaz: When I’m not training for fights I like watching Shane Mosley. I think he’s a real talented fighter. Another guy is Miguel Cotto, who is also a great fighter I enjoy watching.

Ismael: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions fans and critics are having of you going into this fight?

Diaz: The biggest misconceptions to date are that people think my skills are diminishing and that I don’t belong in the sport of boxing anymore. My biggest goal to myself is not prove to anybody anything, because people are going to believe what they want to. But I want to prove to myself that I belong here and I can still be world champion.

Ismael: Thanks very much Juan; I think we’ll have another Fight of the Year candidate on July 31.

Diaz: Thank you very much and have a good one

Marquez-Diaz II aires live this Saturday July 31 at 9PM on HBO PPV.

Marquez-Diaz II Final Press Conference Quotes

Posted: July 28, 2010 in Fight News
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Earlier today Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz held their final press conference for their anticipated July 31 PPV rematch.

The conference took place from Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay, which will host the fight this coming Saturday. Juan Manuel Marquez is anticipating an even tougher outing than the nine round war he waged with Diaz last year. Although he won with an emphatic TKO, Marquez still holds Diaz in high esteem and expects to see a  better fighter on the 31st.

“Everyone knows Juan Diaz is a great fighter and I have prepared myself very hard for this fight,” Marquez stated. ”When people say ‘Why Juan Diaz again?’ I always want make the biggest fights and here you have two great fighters. I think this fight is going to be better than the first one because Juan Diaz is a great fighter and a great warrior and I am too. I like to fight. Everyone who knows me, knows I like landing so many punches.I want to dedicate this to all of my fans around the world, my family, my kids, my wife and the Mexican fans around the world.  I have prepared very hard and I am ready.”

Juan Diaz noted the recent erratic nature of his career. The Baby Bull is coming off a clear decision loss to Paulie Malignaggi,but vowed this fight will be the beginning  of a prolonged winning streak.

“The last two years of my boxing career have been a roller coaster ride. Starting with the Nate Campbell fight which was my first loss, then I beat Michael Katsidis, and then lost to Juan Manuel Marquez, then beat Paulie Malinaggi and then lost to him,” he detailed. “It just makes sense that I am going to win this fight and I am going to keep winning from now on.”

Much has been made of the “Mexican warrior” tag, and whether Diaz can lay claim to it since he was born in America. The 26-year-old former champion refused to identify himself on nationalistic or racial terms. Instead, Diaz revealed his focus is on delivering a great fight for all boxing fans.

“During a lot of the interviews with the media, people have been asking about my heritage and nationality. Am I 50 percent this, 25 percent, 100 percent that?  I don’t want to be any of that,” Diaz said. “I am 100 percent warrior. I fight for all of my fans whether it is Mexicans, Mexican-Americans, Blacks, Whites or Asians. I want to give everyone a great fight. I want to make all of the fans happy.  I am going to give all of the ‘Baby Bull’ fans a great fight.It is time for the new generation to step up and reign over the lightweight division.”

Marquez-Diaz II begins at 9PM EST live on HBO PPV.

Stay tuned at Beats, Boxing and Mayhem for an exclusive final interview with Juan Diaz tomorrow.

An interview with rising middleweight Danny Jacobs and a final Marquez-Diaz II card prediction will be published on Friday (July 30).

Juan Manuel Marquez Holds L.A. Rally

Posted: July 26, 2010 in Fight News
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Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez was in Los Angeles yesterday (July 25) to greet hundreds of supporters who gathered for his fan rally.

Marquez arrived in the U.S. from Mexico late last week in final preparations for his rematch against Juan Diaz on July 31.

An estimated 300 fans were in attendance to meet Marquez and receive autographs. The future Hall of Famer disclosed that the outpouring of fan support has inspired him to push harder in the fight.

“I was so happy that all of the fans came out to support me today,” Marquez stated.  “Being in America really makes me feel like the fight is almost here.  I just want to make the Mexican people proud and be victorious on July 31.”

140 pound prospect Frankie Gomez was also in attendance and will fight Ricardo Calzada on the undercard.

The card, dubbed “Fight of the Year: The Rematch,” will be available on HBO PPV and over 270 theaters nationwide.

The fight is a rematch to the 2009 Fight of the Year, which was won by Marquez via a 9th round TKO.

This fight will be for the unified lightweight championship.

Beats, Boxing and Mayhem will have an exclusive interview with Juan Diaz later this week.

Ronnie Shields: Can He Lead Diaz to Victory Over Marquez?

Posted: July 22, 2010 in Fight Interviews
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Ronnie Shields has reached a crossroads matchup with his fighter Juan Diaz. The pair has gone 2-3 in their last 5 fights, with 1 of the wins being a highly controversial decision. Their last fight was a decision loss to Paulie Malignaggi in December. But Shields still has faith in his fighter as they head to a July 31 PPV showdown and rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez.

The first fight was a high-intensity brawl that earned Fight of the Year honors. But Diaz was on the wrong side of a TKO in the ninth after controlling the fight early. Does Shields need to create a completely new strategy, or can Marquez’s precise counter-punching be subdued by smaller adjustments? The 2003 Trainer of Year expounds on his fight plan, his era compared to today’s junior welterweights, and how his past fighters (Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield) match up with the Klitschkos.

Ismael AbduSalaam: Before we get into the Marquez-Diaz rematch, give me your take on what went wrong with the Malignaggi fight?

Ronnie Shields: The thing is Paulie Malignaggi is a really good boxer. He was on that night and Juan wasn’t; he couldn’t get off [even though] he did everything he could. But he kept saying he didn’t feel right, [that] his punches weren’t coming the way they normally do. And Paulie Malignaggi had a great night.

Ismael: With the training camp you’ve had this time with Juan, how would you rate his focus in comparison to when he was champion or coming up the ranks? There is speculation that his studying for the bar exam has taken away some of his focus.

Shields: Oh no, Juan is very focused fighter and an intelligent person. He knows how to put things in perspective. He realizes that this fight has a lot to do with his [future] boxing career. He loses this fight [and] it puts him in a bad situation. His focus is really there, he’s listening to everything all the trainers are telling him. And that’s pretty much all you can ask of a fighter, to listen, work hard, and focus on the game plan established. We have to make some adjustments because we lost the last fight.

Ismael: In terms of strategy what can Diaz do differently to prevent giving Marquez the counter openings he got in the last fight?

Shields: I think we had the perfect game plan last time, up until Juan stopped using his jab. Once that happened that caused Marquez, one of the best counter punchers in boxing, to not have to worry about anything. He just had to get off on the counter. We have to fight the same fight as last time, but we have to remember that we can’t fall in to punches and be smart. We can put pressure on him, but we can’t be careless and drop our hands and let this guy tee off on us. Juan is better than that.

I think the excitement of fighting in his hometown of Houston and who he was fighting had a big impact on the way he fought the first fight. We have to be careful and I think he will. Juan is showing in the gym that he really wants to win and show everybody he is one of the best fighters out there.

Ismael: When you’re reviewing tapes of Marquez, do you put much stock in his last fight against Floyd Mayweather? Or is it not really a factor because he was above a comfortable weight?

Shields: I did look at it, but Juan Diaz’s style and Mayweather’s style are completely different. Floyd Mayweather was just too big and Marquez couldn’t do anything. Mayweather’s size and skill were just too much to overcome. Marquez fought a good fight, but there’s nothing we can learn from it. Their styles are just too different.

Ismael: You trained Tomasz Adamek for his last fight against Chris Arreola, and you’ve trained Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. What is the main problem you see in the division now as opposed to the 90s and 80s?

Shields: Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko! These guys are big, strong, and great boxers. I don’t see anyone in the near future beating them. You can beat them, because they have been beaten before, but you have to be on that night. You have to have a great strategy. But for the last couple years, people are just getting there and trying to overpower them. That’s just not working. You have to have a better strategy because they have size, strength, and good jabs.

Ismael: Even with the Klitschko’s size, how do you think they would have matched up with some of your former fighters like Holyfield and Tyson?

Shields: Oh man Holyfield, Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis; all those guys would’ve beaten them. Look at Evander. Holyfield was a religious guy. It didn’t matter how big you were; his boxing skills were so good he could match up with anyone. That’s how he was able to match up well with big guys like Bowe and Lewis. When Lennox fought Vitali, he was just as big and strong. With Wladimir, Lennox would have knocked him out early because Wladimir is the one who takes more chances.

But the guys today in the United States are not as hungry as those guys in the 90s. I just don’t see it. Although we have the talent to beat the Klitschkos, these guys just aren’t as hungry. Our heavyweights have to get it together and decide they are going to give in their best. Nobody [right now] is willing to step up.

Ismael: You’re one of the more passionate trainers in the corner. I can see when you are frustrated with a fighter who is not following instructions and what was planned in the gym. In particular I’ve seen it a lot with Rocky Juarez and Dominick Guinn. How hard is it for you to get over a loss when you know your fighter could have easily won if they followed the game plan?

Shields: It stays with you for a little bit. When you’re training your guy and you see him giving his all in the gym, and then in the fight that changes, it makes you wonder if it’s the fighter or your game plan. Of course you have to question yourself, but it ultimately comes down to the fighter. Why didn’t he do what he was supposed to do? There are guys who don’t even try and try to switch away from the game plan. As a trainer you try to tell them and they just don’t do it. It’s frustrating, but you have to move on because you have other fighters and not let it get the best of you.

Ismael: Let’s look at Kermit Cintron. Does he have any potential fights on the table following that controversial Paul Williams bout?

Shields: As a matter of fact we got a call about Kermit possibly going to Germany to fight Felix Strum for the middleweight championship. That was the offer, but I don’t think the money was right. But that’s an offer still on the table. It would be on September 4 in Germany.

Ismael: Now how has his mindset been lately? He’s been in controversial decisions that sometimes benefit him like the Martinez fight. And other times it goes against him like the Williams fight. Has he been able to remain confident and motivated?

Shields: Oh absolutely. We’re going to Sacramento, California to try and get the Williams decision overturned, at least to a No Contest. You saw the fight; everybody saw that Kermit was winning the fight. So that’s motivation for him. He was beating someone that everybody thought would just blow him away. People said that Paul Williams throws hundreds of punches per round, but you didn’t see that against Kermit Cintron. Why? Because he got caught with a right hand early, he felt the power and Kermit was going to knock him out, plain and simple. What happened outside the ring, that’s boxing. The doctor wouldn’t let him get up. There was nothing he could do about it. He wants the rematch, but they [Williams’ team] don’t want the fight. So what does that tell you?

Ismael: I asked Roger Mayweather this question because he also competed at 140. You were a contender in the early and mid 80s and fought guys like Hamada and Costello. How do you think the young junior welterweight fighters today compare to your era?

Shields: I certainly think my era was a lot stronger then guys who are out there now. I’m looking at Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley, if they were around in my era I’d be champion of the world for a very long time. I don’t see any of these guys beating anyone of my class: the Saoul Mambys, the Billy Costellos, the Tsuyoshi Hamadas, and the Bruce Currys. We were big, strong, and our boxing skills were so much better than all of these guys. I don’t think these guys could compete. If I was fighting in this era the way I fought, I’d be champion of the world for as long as I wanted to be.

Ismael: How many fighters are you currently training right now?

Shields: Right now I’d say about ten.

Ismael: How do you manage the schedules to make sure every fighter gets the time they need?

Shields: For me it’s really simple. I spread my guys out. I’m not afraid to work [and] everybody gets their time. This is also why you have assistants because everyone wants head trainer attention. And this is what I try to give them by spreading guys out so they can get the attention they need. It’s very important for every fighter to feel they’re important whether it’s a four or twelve round fight. You have to focus and make sure everyone is happy. The good thing is everyone is not fighting at the same time, so I have a system that focuses on who is fighting now. We give them six weeks, and then we’re ready for the next guys. It’s hard sometimes when you have a lot of fights coming up, but that just means you have to spend longer hours in the gym.

Ismael: Last question. Out of all the fighters you trained, who had the most natural talent and who had the most will?

Shields: The guy with the most natural talent would be Pernell Whitaker. And the guy with the most heart is Evander Holyfield.

Ismael: Thank you very much for your time Ronnie and good luck on July 31.

Shields: Thank you very much I appreciate it.

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