Juan Díaz

Juan Díaz (born September 17, 1983) is an American professional boxer who held the WBA (Unified), IBF and WBO lightweight championships from 2007 to 2008 and the IBO lightweight championship from 2008 to 2009.

Amateur career Diaz was 105–5 as an amateur, winning 13 National Gold Medals, two National Silver Medals and four World Championships. 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. 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.

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.

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. A rematch was scheduled for July the 31st 2010. The fight was held live on Pay Per View and in U.S. Theaters around the country.

Brief foray at 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, Gale Von Hoy, scoring the fight 118–110 in Diaz's favor; another, Raul Caiz Sr., had it 115-113. Harold Lederman scored the fight 7 rounds to 5 for Malignaggi. On December 12, he had a rematch vs Paulie Malignaggi and lost a unanimous decision, all 3 judges scored it 116–111.

Return to lightweight

Diaz vs. Marquez II

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

Comeback Diaz vs. Pipino Cuevas Jr. Declaring that he had "the fire back", the former unified lightweight titleholder Juan Díaz ended a 2½-year retirement on April 13 by fighting Gerardo "Pipino" Cuevas Jr. He was trained by Tim Knight of Louisville, Kentucky He won that bout, and went on fighting until 2016.

Personal life Díaz maintained a full-time academic schedule while boxing, Diaz's promotional company, Baby Bull LLC, partners with ESPN Deportes to produce the radio show The Baby Bull Show, which has featured guest appearances by fellow boxers. He also has a trucking company, JD Express Inc, with his brother Jose as partner.

Professional boxing record

Titles in boxing Major world titles WBA (Unified and Undisputed) lightweight champion (135 lbs) IBF lightweight champion (135 lbs) WBO lightweight champion (135 lbs)

Minor world titles WBC Youth lightweight champion (135 lbs) IBO lightweight champion (135 lbs)

Regional/International titles NABO light welterweight champion (140 lbs)

Honorary titles WBO Super Champion

Notes and references