Miguel Diaz (boxing)

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Miguel Angel Diaz (born c. 1952), is an Argentine boxing trainer of notoriety. Unlike many boxing trainers, Diaz built a name inside the world of boxing by working outside his home country, and he has trained fighters from all over Latin America and from the United States.

[edit] Boxing career

Miguel Angel Diaz had a very short career as a professional boxer, having only one fight. He outpointed Carlos Billena on December 11, 1970 as a Jr. Welterweight, Diaz retired from boxing as a fighter.

[edit] Boxing trainer career

Diaz moved to Los Angeles, California, where he established the Miguel Diaz boxing gym. One of his first world champions was Pedro Decima.

In Los Angeles, Diaz built a reputation among Mexican and Chicano fighters, becoming a well known trainer in the area. One of his first boxers was Erik Morales, who would bring fame for him and for Diaz after he knocked Daniel Zaragoza out in eleven rounds at El Paso, Texas for the WBC world Bantamweight championship. Diaz then began travelling between Los Angeles and Tijuana to help train Morales.

He went on to help train Fernando Vargas for a number of fights, and established a second Miguel Diaz boxing gym, located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Diaz is currently residing part-time in Puerto Rico, where he helps train brothers Miguel Angel and Jose Miguel Cotto as well as Daniel Jimenez, among others. Miguel Cotto has reached world championship status, winning the WBO Junior Welterweight crown.

In 1999, Diaz was named "trainer of the year" by the International Boxing Hall of Fame.