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Juan Diaz: HoganPhotos.com


By Ray Kilgore: Juan Diaz lost his IBF, WBA and WBO world titles in a shocking setback to underdog Nate Campbell on March 3 in Mexico. The Mexican, who was selected but ruled too young to compete for Mexico at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, doesn’t downplay Campbell’s victory, nonetheless the 135 pounder argues that Don King deserves credit as well, for the emotional beating he gave him in the 48 hours leading up to the bout.

But now, the action-pack fighter asserts his mind is clear, he feels renewed, and his confidence is soaring as he gets ready to face Australian tough guy Michael Katsidis 23-1 (20) on September 8 at the Toya Center in Houston Texas for the vacant IBO world title.

Diaz’s nickname "The Baby Bull" is misleading because outside of the ring, he’s a poodle with a little bite.

Conflict isn’t something 24 year-old Diaz likes yet; he believes King assisted to high-jack his titles in Cancun Mexico.

"My manager always explained how cutthroat [boxing] could be,” said Diaz. “I gave him [King] the benefit of the doubt, and said ‘If I am honest and truthful then he would treat me good.’"

Diaz adds, "I don’t have a bad taste in my mouth. In the end he is a businessman and [King has] to do whatever it costs to make money."

But Diaz’s head trainer Willie Savannah is hotter than hell and holds steady that King handled Team Diaz poorly.

"The thing with King is he doesn’t know how to treat you. He uses intimidation [And I] wasn’t going to let that happen with Juan."

Savannah further asserts. "We get a signed contract back and his signature on the main line had smudges on and you couldn’t read it. The pages after where he was supposed to initial didn’t have nothing."

Diaz 34-1 (17) contributes, "The major difference between King and Golden Boy is Golden Boy treats fighters as business partners, where Don treats it as to make money only."

And it was because of King’s reputation that Savannah tried to cover his bases.

"I got off the air plan and drove Juan right to get his urine tested. I didn’t want any funny business going on."

He adds, "I don’t know what happened to it [the urine] but how does a fight on this level with major titles on the line not [mandate] drug testing?"

Savannah, who owns his own boxing gym in Houston, doesn’t think Campbell 32-5-1 (25), would stoop to fighting on drugs.

Savannah’s prominent beef revolves around the zoo atmosphere Team Diaz experienced before and during the fight.

"I see King talking to the IBF official and then King starts yelling ’And new champ’ right in front of us.”

He stresses, “Look at the tape you’ll see him in round six talking to the IBF official."

The freak show goes on according to Savannah. He claims there was no place for him to sit at the fight, and when he stood to watch, fans started yelling.

“I tried to hold on to the side of the ring to steady myself, then the IBF official tells me if I continue to do that he was going to disqualify us.”

Savannah’s side portrays King as a person that when he shakes your hand, you have to count your fingers to make sure they are all there.

"Two days before the fight, he’s talkin’ shit about cancelling it. He had posters around places bad-mouthing my name in full view."

Consequently the person all this impacted was the fighter. Boxers develop a certain mind frame before they step into the ring. Diaz wasn’t at his best mentally.

"I lost focus,” he said. “Having your own promoter against you it plays [with your] psyche, knowing he’s a man who can make and break you."

Don King Promotions declined to comment.

So, with King departed, Diaz says his attention is back fully on boxing and that excites him.

"I know what it was to be champion of the world and what it felt like to lose it. Coming right back for a championship title has motivated me and made me hungrier. I love [this] position."

The fight against Katsidis televised in the USA on HBO will take place in Diaz’s hometown, however; you’d think coming off a major defeat is pressure enough let alone fighting at home in front of an expected crowed of 15,000.

The theory in boxing is a fighter who faces misfortune in his last fight is mentally, uncertain of how he will perform in the future.

Diaz, who doesn’t spar when training for fights, agrees with this view point so why take on a person like Katsidis this soon?

"If I step into the fight with a tune-up and freeze and the guy beats me, I am back further than before. I know he [Katsidis] can be dangerous so the motivation is there."


Diaz wants the high being a world champion brings. Therefore, he’s insistent on not making the same mistakes.

"I want to do what I have done in the past. What I got away from is listening to my corner no matter what’s going on outside of the ring."

He slowly points out, "No matter I should not worry about distractions."

In his private life, Diaz’s future looks bright as he’s set to graduate in May 2009 with plans of applying to Law school.

Although disheartened by his experience with King, there is good that came out of it.

"[i] was thinking of becoming a defense attorney [However] now that I am seeing how the sport of boxing is, I am getting interest in sports contract law."

With his determination if anyone can make things happen in boxing down the road, it seems that a guy with the alias "Baby Bull" can.



source - - - Boxing - USA Headlines - USA Boxing News

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