JUAN DIAZ PROFILE AND BIO

Many said he couldn’t do it. They said the champion he was challenging was a mirror image of himself, only stronger and more experienced. But, just as he has done repeatedly since turing pro just four years ago, Juan Diaz proved the “experts” wrong.

In July 2004, Diaz out-hustled, out-slugged, and out-worked one of boxing’s most durable champions to earn the WBA lightweight championship. From the opening bell, Juan utilized his natural hand speed to land combinations to Lakva Sim’s head and body, and pile up points on the scorecards. Midway through the bout, Sim closed the gap by successfully luring Diaz into a slugging match. But just when it seemed as if Sim had convinced Diaz to brawl, the young star showed why he is one of the sport’s smartest fighters by reverting to his boxing skills and capitalizing on his natural ability to storm ahead and win.

The accolades gushed forth:

“From here, he (Diaz) will only improve, and we should all latch on and enjoy the ride. True champions don’t come around often.” (John Lopez, Huston Chronicle)

“I think Diaz certainly stole the show. He is a potential star, with his style, personality and background.” (Larry Merchant, HBO Color Analyst)

With the victory, Juan Diaz became the youngest world champion in boxing and the youngest world lightweight champion in over 30 years.

Those who know Diaz were not surprised by his victory, as success through hard work has defined the young man’s character both in and out of the ring.

In his pro debut in June 2000, Juan annihilated Rafael Ortiz in one round. Diaz stopped Starr Johnson in three rounds, just 10 days after his 17th birthday. He went on to win his next sixteen bouts and earn a spot headlining a May 2003 NBC “Budweiser Boxing Series” fight card. Diaz traded bombs with Eleazar Contreras for 10 rounds in a bout nominated for “Fight of the Year” honors. He pulled slightly ahead on the scorecards entering round six when he was dropped by a quick Contreras right hook. Knowing he would need to dominate the last four rounds to assure a victory, Diaz feverishly pounded Contreras in rounds seven through ten.

In July 2003, Diaz out-hustled Francisco Lorenzo to capture a unanimous decision victory. He showed tremendous poise ignoring repeated low blows and rabbit punches, and battered Lorenzo wqith punishing body punches to win.

In November 2003, Diaz continued to show why he is recognized as one of the most exciting boxers in the sport, as he battered cross-town rival, Joel Perez in a six round war that left Perez bruised and beaten when his corner thre in the towel in round six. His left hooks closed the right eye of Perez, and his right hooks caused the former world title challenger to bleed form his left ear.

Diaz dismantled Martin O’Malley in two rounds in April 2004. O’Malley argued that the fight had been stopped prematurely, but expressed his respect for his opponent nevertheless: “Juan Diaz is up there with those guys I’ve fought. He’s a great fighter.”

In July 2004, Diaz defeated Lakva Sim to win the WBA lightweight crown.

Diaz successfully defended his crown for the first time in November 2004, by battering two-time world champion and No. 1 ranked WBA lightweight contender, Julien Lorcy to earn a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision victory. He pounded his courageous opponent with thunderous body shots and overwhelmed him with a feverish punch output that continued until the final bell. Upon the bout’s conclusion, most ringside spectators agreed with the sentiment expressed by San Antonio Express-News boxing columnist, John Whisler: “How do you say ‘mugging’ in French?”

In his last bout in January 2005, Diaz successfully defended his crown for the second time by punishing WBA No. 10 ranked contender, Billy Irwin to earn a ninth-round stoppage. Irwin fought valiantly, but the younger, stronger Diaz overwhelmed Irwin from the opening bell, capturing every round on the scorecards. Twice the ringside doctor examined Irwin’s swollen shut right eye. In round nine after Diaz landed one of his many crippling combinations, the referee waved a halt to the bout in round nine.