former world lightweight champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz has thrilled fight fans for years with his aggressive style and willingness to take on all comers. Although just 25 years old, Diaz is a 35 fight veteran, having made his professional debut at the age of 17 after a stellar amateur career that saw him win 105 of 110 fights. He apparently capped off his amateur stint by earning a spot on the 2000 Mexican Olympic team, but he was later informed that he was too young to compete, forcing him to look to the pro ranks instead of waiting four more years for the next Olympic Games.
On June 23, 2000, Diaz debuted with a first round stoppage of Rafael Ortiz in Mexico, where he fought his first three pro fights. By the end of the year though, he was fighting in Las Vegas and garnering a significant buzz for his ‘take no prisoners’ attack.
Diaz went 6-0 with 5 KOs in 2000, and he added seven wins to his ledger in 2001. One of those wins, a decision victory over Ubaldo Hernandez, saw him gut out a close fight against a seasoned opponent. That fight was a turning point for Diaz, who went on a 10-0 tear during 2002-2003 and established himself as one of the top contenders for the lightweight crown.
In 2004, his time would come to challenge for 135 pound supremacy when he battled veteran Lakva Sim in his hometown of Houston on July 17, 2004. 12 dominant rounds later, there was a new WBA world lightweight champion, and his name was Juan Diaz.
Not content to sit on his title, Diaz defended his crown at a breakneck pace, winning six title fights in a row against all challengers. What made his reign even more incredible is that he was juggling a full load of college courses at the University of Houston at the same time.
On April 28, 2007, if there were any skeptics left regarding Diaz’ standing among the elite, they were silenced when he stopped 38-1 Brazilian superstar Acelino Freitas in eight rounds, adding the WBO title belt to his waist in the process. Less than six months later, Diaz won a third 135-pound title, halting Julio Diaz in nine rounds.
And though Diaz would drop a close split decision to Nate Campbell in his last bout on March 8th, Diaz immediately went back to the gym to prepare for a big surge that he hopes will lead him back to the world title. To help him get there, the ‘Baby Bull’ enlisted Golden Boy Promotions to lead him to the biggest fights possible in the coming years.
“I’m excited to be on the Golden Boy Promotions roster and I can’t wait to get back in the ring with Oscar and his team behind me,” said Diaz. “I’ve gained a lot of experience over the last couple of years, in and out of the ring, and I can’t wait to prove to boxing fans that I’m the best lightweight in the world.”
President of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar de la Hoya, continued, “I don’t think there’s a more exciting young fighter out there than Juan Diaz, and I’m glad we’re finally working together. We’ve got big plans for Juan and we can’t wait to start putting him into the mega fights he deserves to be in.”
Diaz returned to the ring on September 6, 2008 to face Australia’s Michael Katsidis in a highly-anticipated clash for the IBO lightweight championship, and he showed no ill effects from his lone pro loss as he boxed brilliantly en route to a 12 round decision victory.
Outside the ring, Diaz is currently studying to get his undergraduate degree at the University of Houston and upon graduation will then start law school at the University of Houston. He has also garnered acclaim for his community work and activism in the Houston area.
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