Juan Díaz (boxer)

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Juan Díaz
Statistics
Real name Juan Díaz
Nickname(s) Baby Bull
Rated at Lightweight
Junior Welterweight
Height 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Nationality United States American
Born (1983-09-17) September 17, 1983
Houston, Texas
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 42
Wins 38
Wins by KO 19
Losses 4 (1 KO)
Draws 0
No contests 0

Juan Díaz, born September 17, 1983 in Houston, Texas, is a Mexican-American boxer in the lightweight division, and the former unified WBA, WBO, and IBF lightweight champion.

With a record of 35–4 (17 KOs), Juan Diaz announced his retirement from boxing on June 7, 2011 to attend The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Law School.

Amateur career

Diaz was 105–5 as an amateur, winning 13 National Gold Medals, two National Silver Medals and four World Championships.[1] He thought he had qualified for the 2000 Mexican Olympic team but was informed he was too young to compete in Sydney. He did not want to wait four more years and turned pro.

Professional career

Lightweight

Díaz made his professional boxing debut at age 16 on June 23, 2000 with a first-round TKO victory over Rafael Ortiz.[2] He won his first five fights by knockout.

On November 22, 2003, Díaz won the WBO youth lightweight title with a sixth-round TKO of journeyman Joel Pérez.[2] He accumulated a record of 24–0, which included wins over title challengers Joel Perez and Francisco Lorenzo, before challenging for his first world title.

On July 17, 2004, Díaz defeated Mongolian Lakva Sim for the WBA lightweight title by unanimous decision.[2] Díaz defended the title seven times.[2] On December 4, 2004, he defeated former two-time WBA lightweight champion Julien Lorcy by unanimous decision. In his second defense, he defeated Billy Irwin by 9th round tko. On April 8, 2006, he defended his title against undefeated José Miguel Cotto (brother of Miguel Cotto) with a unanimous decision victory.[2] In his next fight, he defeated Randy Suico by 9th round tko. On November 14, 2006, Diaz successfully defended his title for the fifth time against Fernando Angulo of Ecuador by unanimous decision.

On April 28, 2007, he successfully defended his title against WBO champion Acelino Freitas by TKO after Freitas forfeited the fight before beginning the 9th round, unifying the WBO lightweight championship with the WBA lightweight title. The fight took place in Mashantucket, USA.

On October 13, 2007, Díaz unified a third title by defeating IBF Lightweight champion Julio Díaz in Chicago Illinois. He became the first undisputed lightweight champion since Pernell Whitaker in 1992.

Diaz vs. Campbell

Nate Campbell defeated Diaz by split decision to become IBF, WBO, WBA Champion, on March 8, 2008 in Cancún, Mexico. This ended Diaz's undefeated streak of thirty-three wins.

Diaz's training is supervised by fitness guru Brian Caldwell of Houston Texas.[3]

Diaz vs. Katsidis

Díaz (34–1, 17 KO's) won a 12-round split decision over Australia's previous WBO lightweight champion Michael Katsidis, (23–2, 20 KO's) on September 6, 2008. Diaz became the new IBO lightweight champion in the "No Retreat, No Surrender" main event fight at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Ringside judge Gale Van Hoy scored the fight 116–112 while Levi Martinez scored it 115–113, all for Diaz, but Judge Glen Hamada had it 115–113 for Katsidis.[4][5]

Diaz vs. Marquez

On February 28, 2009, Juan Manuel Márquez defeated Diaz in the 9th round of a 12 round bout for the unified world lightweight title. In the opening rounds, Diaz appeared to be winning the fight, pinning Marquez on the ropes and occasionally staggering him with big left hands. In the eighth round, Diaz was cut over his eye by a Marquez punch, much like he was in the loss to Nate Campbell. After starting strong in the ninth round, Marquez's precision punching proved to be too much and Diaz was knocked down twice, bringing an end to the fight. This fight was named "Fight of the Year" for 2009 by Ring magazine and ESPN.com.[6] A rematch was scheduled for July the 31st 2010. The fight was held live on Pay Per View and in U.S. Theaters[7] around the country.

Light Welterweight

Diaz vs. Malignaggi I & II

On August 22, 2009, Diaz moved up in weight to challenge Paul Malignaggi for the vacant WBO NABO light welterweight title at a catch-weight of 138½ pounds in his hometown of Houston, Texas. Although the fight was competitive, Malignaggi appeared stronger in the latter rounds. Diaz was ultimately awarded a unanimous decision, however, the scores were controversial with one judge scoring the fight 118–110 in Diaz's favor. Harold Lederman scored the fight 7 rounds to 5 for Malignaggi. On December 12, he had a rematch vs Paulie Malignaggi and was out worked easily by the quicker Malignaggi. All 3 judges scored it 116–111.[8]

Return to Lightweight

Diaz vs. Marquez II

Main article: Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz II

Diaz fought Juan Manuel Marquez for the second time on July 31, 2010. Marquez won the fight via Unanimous Decision, 117–111, 118–110, 116–112

Coming out of Retirement

Diaz vs. Pipino Cuevas Jr.

Declaring that he had "the fire back," the former unified lightweight titleholder Juan Diaz ended a 2½-year retirement on April 13 by fighting Pipino Cuevas Jr. Trained by Tim Knight of Louisville, KY[9]

Professional boxing record

38 Wins (19 knockouts), 4 Losses, 0 Draws,0 No Contest
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 38–4 United States Juan Santiago UD10 2013-10-19United States 1STBANK Center, Broomfield, Denver, Colorado, USA
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 37–4 Brazil Adailton De Jesus TKO5 (10) 2013-08-17United States Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, Texas, USA
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 36–4 Mexico Pipino Cuevas Jr. TKO6 (12) 2013-04-13United States American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 35–4 Mexico Juan Manuel Márquez UD12 2010-07-31United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada For WBO & WBA (Super) Lightweight titles.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 35–3 United States Paulie Malignaggi UD12 2009-12-12 United States UIC Pavilion Chicago, Illinois Lost WBO NABO Light Welterweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 35–2 United States Paulie Malignaggi UD 12 2009-08-22 United States Toyota Center, Houston, Texas Won vacant WBO NABO Light Welterweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss34–2Mexico Juan Manuel Márquez TKO9 (12), 2:402009-02-28 United States Toyota Center, Houston, Texas For vacant WBO & WBA (Super) Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 34–1 Australia Michael Katsidis SD 12 2008-09-06United States Toyota Center, Houston, Texas Won vacant IBO Lightweight title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 33–1 United States Nate Campbell SD 12 2008-03-08Mexico Plaza de Toros, Cancun, Quintana Roo Lost IBF, WBO & WBA (Super) Lightweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 33–0 Mexico Julio Díaz TKO 9 (12), 0:01 2007-10-13 United States Sears Centre, Hoffman Estates, Illinois Retained WBO & WBA (Super) and won IBF Lightweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 32–0 Brazil Acelino Freitas RTD 8 (12), 3:00 2007-04-28United States Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket, Connecticut Retained WBA (Super) and won WBO Lightweight titles.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 31–0 Colombia Fernando Angulo UD 12 2006-11-04United States Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona Retained WBA World Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 30–0 Philippines Randy Suico TKO 9 (12), 2:06 2006-07-15United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained WBA World Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 29–0 Puerto Rico José Miguel Cotto UD12 2006-04-08United States Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Retained WBA World Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 28–0 United States Arthur Cruz TKO 5 (10), 1:44 2005-07-16United States Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, Louisiana
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 27–0 Canada Billy Irwin TKO 9 (12), 1:27 2005-01-21United States Reliant Center, Houston, Texas Retained WBA World Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 26–0 France Julien Lorcy UD 12 2004-11-04United States AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas Retained WBA World Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 25–0 Mongolia Lakva Sim UD 12 2004-07-17United States Reliant Center, Houston, Texas Won WBA World Lightweight title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 24–0 United States Martin O'Malley TKO 2 (10), 0:55 2004-04-17United States Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 23–0 United States Joel Perez TKO 6 (10), 1:27 2003-11-22United States Reliant Center, Houston, Texas Retained WBC Youth World Lightweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 22–0 Dominican Republic Francisco Lorenzo UD 10 2003-07-19United States Reliant Center, Houston, Texas Retained WBC Youth World Lightweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 21–0 United States Eleazar Contreras, Jr. UD 10 2003-05-10United States Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California Won Vacant WBC Youth World Lightweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20–0 United States John Bailey TKO 7 (10), 2:16 2003-02-01United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–0 United States Arthur Cruz TKO 4 (10), 0:39 2002-11-22United States Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–0 United States Roy Delgado TKO 6 (10), 0:46 2002-10-19United States Reliant Center, Houston, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–0 Puerto Rico Peter Nieves UD 10 2002-08-24United States Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–0 United States Michael Davis UD10 2002-07-05United States Civic Center Arena, Laredo, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–0 Venezuela Nelson Ramon Medina UD8 2002-04-27United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–0 Mexico Juan Carlos Juarez UD 8 2002-02-15United States Radisson Hotel, Houston, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–0 United States Rudolfo Lunsford UD4 2001-11-10United States Reliant Center, Houston, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–0 Mexico Ubaldo Hernandez SD8 2001-09-01United States Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–0 United States Scott Buck TKO 1 (6), 2:26 2001-07-27United States Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant, Michigan
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–0 United States John Trigg UD6 2001-06-23United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 United States Carlos Horacio Nevarez KO 1 (6), 2:44 2001-05-19United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 United States Mahan Washington UD6 2001-03-02United States Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 United States Bradley Jensen UD6 2001-01-13United States Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 United States Michael Lucero UD6 2000-12-01United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 United States Antonio Young TKO 2 (?) 2000-11-10United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 United States Starr Johnson TKO 3 (4) 2000-09-22United States International Ballroom, Houston, Texas
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Mexico Juan Carlos Alvarez TKO1 (4) 2000-09-02Mexico Salon Teotihuacan, Mexicali, Baja California
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Mexico Miller Vazquez KO 1 (4) 2000-07-22Mexico Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Mexico Rafael Ortiz TKO 1 (4) 2000-06-23Mexico Poliforum Zamna, Mérida, Yucatán Juan's professional debut.

Personal life

Díaz maintained a full-time academic schedule while boxing,[1] graduating high school from Contemporary Learning Center in Houston in 2001 and obtaining a bachelors degree in political science from the University of Houston–Downtown.

Diaz is a community activist who has been deputized as a Volunteer Voter Registrar for Harris County (Texas). He works with the League of Women Voters of the Houston Area to promote full participation in civic life.[10]

Diaz's company, Baby Bull LLC, partners with ESPN Deportes to produce the radio show ``The Baby Bull Show, which guests popular boxers like Joel Casamayor, Saul Alvarez to name a few. He also has a trucking company, JD Trucking, with his brother Jose as partner.[1]

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Juan Diaz Explains Reasons For Retirement From Boxing – Boxing News. Boxingscene.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-17.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 BoxRec.com editors. "Juan Diaz." BoxRec.com. URL accessed 3 August 2006.
  3. ↑ Brian, Caldwell (June 7, 2007). "Caldwell a Source of Strength". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2007-07-28. 
  4. ↑ Houston Fighters Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez Win Big, but Judges are the Big Losers. ringsidereport.com. September 7, 2008
  5. ↑ Diaz takes IBO lightweight belt via split decision. abs-cbnnews.com (2008-07-09)
  6. ↑ Dan Rafael: From Round 1 to Round 9, Marquez-Diaz delivered – ESPN. Sports.espn.go.com (2010-01-03). Retrieved on 2011-12-17.
  7. ↑ Marquez vs Diaz on the Big Screen. marquezvsdiazonthebigscreen.com
  8. ↑ Boxer Diaz goes distance to claim victory at Toyota – Houston Chronicle. Chron.com (2009-08-23). Retrieved on 2011-12-17.
  9. ↑ Juan Diaz set to fight Pipino Cuevas – ESPN Boxing. Espn.com (2013-03-13). Retrieved on 2013-04-17.
  10. ↑ "Could Politics Be Next for Juan Diaz?". Boxing Tribune. July 25, 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-28. 

External links

Preceded by
Lakva Sim		 WBA Lightweight Champion
July 17, 2004 – February 23, 2007
Became super champion		 Succeeded by
Jose Alfaro
as Regular champion
Preceded by
N/A
Inaugaral champion		 WBA Lightweight super Champion
February 23, 2007 – March 8, 2008 		Succeeded by
Nate Campbell
Preceded by
Acelino Freitas		 WBO Lightweight Champion
February 23, 2007 – March 8, 2008
Preceded by
Julio Díaz		 IBF Lightweight Champion
October 13, 2007 – March 8, 2008
Vacant
Title last held by
Pernell Whitaker		 Unified Lightweight Champion
October 13, 2007 – March 8, 2008
Vacant
Title last held by
Isaac Hlatshwayo		 IBO Lightweight Champion
September 06, 2008 – February 28, 2009 		Succeeded by
Juan Manuel Márquez
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