I recently sat down with the former undisputed lightweight world champion Juan Diaz and got his thoughts on his performance against Juan Manuel Marquez. Diaz made no excuses, and in typical class act fashion accepts defeat for what it is. Diaz talked about what he would have done differently if he could have the fight to do over, ” I would have applied more pressure than I did. Ronnie was telling me during the fight to apply more pressure, but I didn’t listen to him.”
Diaz informed this writer that he will be making his decision on whether or not he will retire from boxing in about a month. Diaz unlike many of his boxing peers has a lot of opportunities outside of the ring. He has his college degree, and is entering law school in the very near future. The former champ talked about his opportunities outside of the square circle, “I have a lot of things going on. I own a construction company, and I am going to start law school. I have been keeping really busy with things since the fight and I have not had time to think about what I want to do with boxing yet.”
Diaz did however say that his decision would come quickly, “I don’t want to be like other fighters, and not know when to quit. I will make a decision in about a month. When I make the decision it will be final.”
Diaz had a lot to say about Manny Pacquiao and his potential fight against Antonio Margarito. He made it clear who he thinks would win this fight, “Manny is too fast. He will pick Margarito to pieces with his speed and movement. Margarito does not move well, and he is too slow. Manny will destroy Margarito.”
I spoke with Stan Nichols, who is the Chief of Officials for the state of Mississippi, and also heads up USA Boxing’s Southern Association. Nichols talks about Diaz, ‘The kid is a class act. He has always represented our sport with class and dignity. Whatever he decides to do, he will be successful at it.”
Diaz will decide shortly on his boxing career. If he chooses to hang the gloves up, he will leave the sport a former world champion that worked hard, and went right to the top.
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