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Never let it be said Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ two-time and current International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz ducks a challenge or takes the road more traveled.
When Diaz was the IBF lightweight champion during 2005, he voluntarily relinquished that prestigious title to go after the man then considered by many to be the planet’s best 135-pounder, the World Boxing Council champion at that time, Jose Luis Castillo.
Diaz gave a fine account of himself March 5, 2005 , in Las Vegas , but eventually was stopped by the more experienced Castillo.
But Diaz has bounced back all the way, thanks to the lessons he learned in that bout and later while sparring with Castillo.
That education process resulted in Diaz graduating and capturing the IBF lightweight championship Feb. 3, 2007 with a third-round knockout of Jesus Chavez in Kissimmee, Fla.
“That fight with Castillo was a great learning experience for me,” said the 27-year-old Diaz. “Even though I didn’t win, I became a better fighter for having gone through that.
“Now I’m stronger than ever,” said Diaz. “I feel I can walk through anybody.”
He showed and did just that in dethroning Chavez. Diaz dominated the first two rounds before stopping him.
“I was too strong, too big and too fast for him,” said Diaz, who now has a record of 34-3 with 25 knockouts. “I was too sharp for him from the beginning.
“I’m determined to keep the title and add more if the opportunity comes,” said Diaz. “I want to unify the titles so there’s only one champion--me.”
Diaz walked through foes his first two bouts following his fight against Castillo. On Aug. 9, 2005 , at Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, Calif., he halted Russell Stoner Jones in the first round and on June 7, 2005 at the Sycuan Resort & Casino in San Diego Diaz stopped Marco Angel Perez with one punch, a devastating right uppercut to the chin, in the first round. Both bouts were on nationally televised cards presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions.
Diaz earned the right to fight Chavez by breezing to a 12-round unanimous decision over Ricky Quiles and winning the IBF lightweight interim championship on the inaugural “Tribal Pride” card May 18, 2006 in Hollywood, Fla.
Diaz won the IBF lightweight championship the first time May 13, 2004 , when he took a 12-round decision over Javier Jauregui on a card presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions in San Diego .
Diaz, who turned pro during 1999, earned his first world championship shot against Jauregui by stopping highly regarded Courtney Burton in the 11th round of an IBF title-elimination bout on a card presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions March 19, 2004 at the Sycuan Resort & Casino.
That was Diaz’s second chance to gain a world title shot, and this time he was ready. On Oct. 6, 2001 , just two and one-half years after turning pro, Diaz was in his first IBF lightweight title elimination bout, facing none other than veteran Angel Manfredy in Corpus Christi, Texas. While the task was a bit daunting for the then-21-year-old Diaz, he almost prevailed, dropping a 12-round split decision.
Diaz, who was by then two and one-half years older and five wins more experienced, prevailed against Burton. He did the same against Jauregui, winning by eight points on two judges’ scorecards.
Diaz, born in Mexico but living in Coachella, Calif. is trained by Lee Espinosa and managed by Roger Snellenberger. He’s the younger brother of Antonio Diaz, who twice fought for welterweight world championships. |
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