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 Diaz Hopes to Join 'Elite Group' With Lightweight Title Win
By David A. Avila (May 12, 2004)
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Southern California's Julio "the Kidd" Diaz will try to join a prestigious pantheon of Mexican-American champions if he can beat Mexico's IBF world champion lightweight Javier Jauregui Thursday at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Not since Oscar De La Hoya has a Mexican-American fighter claimed a lightweight world title. For the past 50 years native-born Mexicans have dominated the 135-pound division while feeding the scraps to their northern brethren.
In front of Coachella's Diaz - a quick-fisted defensive-minded boxer - stands a lightweight title-holder Jauregui whose style resembles a mad stork, but whose toughness and grit resembles so many other fighters of Mexican lineage.
It was back in May 6, 1995 that De La Hoya delivered the crushing left hook that brought him the IBF lightweight crown. During that showdown Mexican flags were waved and taunting shouts ringed the air against the East L.A. born De La Hoya. He was facing a Mexican-born fighter and they were letting him know it.
When Diaz, 24, steps into the ring against Jauregui (47-10-2, 34 KOs) they'll be fighting for that same title De La Hoya won nine years ago and can expect the same reception from Mexican fans. The youngest of the fighting Diaz brothers will be received like an INS snitch at a quincenera. But he's bringing his own clan that night.
"There's going to be a lot of my people from Coachella," Diaz (29-2, 22 KOs) said of the desert farm community about 80 miles from San Diego.
De La Hoya, Art Frias, Tony Lopez and Mando Ramos were the only other Mexican-Americans to capture the 135-pound title. If Diaz wins he will join an elite group.
Meanwhile Jauregui follows a long list of successful Mexicans who wrapped world title belts around their waists. Since Juan Zurita beat Sammy Angott in the Hollywood Legion in 1944, numerous Mexicans have captured the lightweight world title including Lauro Salas, Chango Carmona, Rodolfo Gonzalez, Jose Luis Ramirez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Rafael Ruelas, Cesar Bazan, Jose Luis Castillo and now Guadalajara's Jauregui.
In Jauregui, Mexico has one of its most unlikely champions.
On four occasions Jauregui has been knocked out cold by opponents and six times he's lost by decision. In today's age of perfect records he's an anomaly on the boxing radar. But despite a devastating first-round knockout loss to Brazil's Acelino Freitas in Sao Paolo four years ago, the raven-haired fighter who favors wearing white-rimmed sunglasses would not surrender.
"Sometimes we don't believe in records," said Rafael Mendoza, Jauregui's manager and a boxing fixture in Southern California. "We believe in styles and we believe in heart."
Mendoza said famed match-maker Don Chargin told him that he "saw something" in Jauregui that maybe with some expert help the Guadalajara fighter could find success.
What both boxing gurus saw was a fighter who needed proper training and enough time to prepare for a fight. Jauregui had been getting one and two-week notices before fights that led to losses due to stamina not skill.
"He's a good fighter," said Diaz who saw Jauregui win the title against Levander Johnson at the Grand Olympic Auditorium on Nov. 22, 2003. "He's kind of wild but that can be considered awkward I guess. I'll find out in the fight."
Jauregui endured a Puerto Rican gauntlet by meeting and defeating Alex Trujillo and Juan Gomez Trinidad in succession last year. He also traveled to Nagoya, Japan where he fought to a technical draw against Ryuhei Sugita in five rounds when the Japanese fighter suffered a cut over the left eye due to an accidental head butt.
"I feel this is going to be a very difficult fight," said Jauregui, 30, of his upcoming contest with Diaz. "Any world title fight is usually difficult."
Diaz endured a similar string of tests capped off by his captivating knockout victory over Courtney Burton at Sycuan Resort and Casino last March.
"Courtney Burton was a huge guy that gave me pressure, good boxing skills, he had everything to beat me and he didn't. So that motivates me a lot," said Diaz. "I know Jauregui is going to try and come at me and wear me out. If a huge guy like Courtney Burton couldn't take away my strength I doubt that Jauregui will."
Both fighters have a lot in common aside from their Mexican ancestry. Strangely enough Jauregui and Diaz train in Willy Silva's Mira Loma boxing gym. For this fight both wanted to use the gym that has brought them luck. It's something athletes of any sport can relate. Ultimately, Jauregui moved up to Big Bear to prepare while Diaz moved into the Mira Loma gym for two weeks.
Regardless, Jauregui feels his Mexican determination will win out against the youthful and speedy Diaz.
"I'm ready for the fight with 'the Kidd' Julio Diaz," said Jauregui in somewhat mocking fashion. "I'm going to defend the title and take it back to Mexico."
Diaz is fighting to join an elite group and even Jauregui's backers know he's capable of an extraordinary effort.
"Jauregui knows he has to do something special," said Mendoza at his objective best. "I believe the winner of this fight is going to be a big star."
Tickets are still available. For information call (619) 445-6002. The fight card begins at 5 p.m.
ANOTHER EAST L.A. FIGHTER
Middleweight prospect Sergio Mora of East L.A. finds himself against an East Coast prospect Les Ralston and both will meet in neutral territory at the DePaul Athletic Center in Chicago. The fight will be televised live by NBC Saturday morning. Both fighters are undefeated and the winner has been promised a contract with Main Events Promotions.
Just last week a similar showdown took place between East L.A.'s Francisco "Panchito" Bojado and Brooklyn's Andre Eason. Bojado dominated the fight. This middleweight contest pits a defensive stalwart Mora (11-0) against Buffalo's boxer-puncher Ralston (13-0).
Maybe I'm a little prejudiced because I'm from East L.A., but I have to go with defense over offense. Mora has the skills to give any middleweight trouble. I always favor the defensive expert over the offensive fighter. It's what makes East L.A. fighters different from others.
PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ DEBATE
Last weekend's fight was great for the sport. I've never seen so many Filipino fans at a Las Vegas event.
Bring backs back visions of Speedy Dado and other great fighters from the Philippines. One boxing writer familiar with Dado said he was a popular fighter who could be seen after his boxing career at events at the Grand Olympic Auditorium.
"Speedy Dado was a good dresser," said Leonard Castillon, 89, who attended some of Dado's fights at the Olympic and the Hollywood Legion Stadium. "He always had these shiny shoes. And he could really fight. Ooh Speedy Dado was fast."
Of course another great fighter was Flash Elorde who battled and beat Sandy Saddler in the island nation in a 10-round fight in 1955, but then lost a tough fight when he was cut during a battle for the title against Saddler in San Francisco in 1956. Of course Elorde and Dado were not the same kind of fighter as Pacquiao. Both were clever aggressive fighters, but Pacquiao packs astonishing power.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Pacquiao step up in weight and cause havoc against the junior lightweights. His power and speed would cause problems for anybody under 135 pound. Some of those lightweights are a little too tall for him.
Pacquiao's draw with Juan Manuel Marquez was one of the classic battles of all-time in my estimation. A draw was one of the best things that could have happen because we can see it again in a more conclusive fashion. And it was great to see the Filipino fans out in force. They're great sports fans and great athletes.
I can see Marquez going down again in a rematch. But then it would remain to be seen if he could rally once again.
One thing I was surprised about was referee Joe Cortez's allowing the fight to go on after three knockdowns in the first round. That was the most shocking development to me. But like the eventual draw, it allows for even more drama to unfold.
ELENA REID
Elena "Baby Doll" Reid was hoping to get on the Thursday card in San Diego where Diaz and Jauregui will battle for the lightweight title.
Reid, who has Philippine ancestry, is one of the best junior bantamweights in the world but has been struggling to find someone to fight.
Hopefully Reid can get a title fight soon. Like Pacquiao she has speed and power and is left-handed too. She's trained by boxing great Cornelius Boza Edwards.
A rematch against Mexico's Mariana Juarez would be a great rematch. Their first meeting ended in a draw last year.
ZAB
I got to hand I to Zab Judah. He's not wasting any time getting back in the ring against another welterweight. The Brooklyn speedster can shake up the 147-pound division with his left-handed style and power. Instead of sitting around moping Judah is stepping back in the ring against Rafael Pineda adapting to the bigger weight class on the Roy Jones under card. That's old school and it should help immensely in his rematch against Cory Spinks.
FIGHTS ON TV
Thurs. HBO Latino, 10 p.m., Julio Diaz (29-2) vs. Javier Jauregui (47-10-2) for IBF lightweight title.
Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET, Pete Manfredo Jr. (20-0) vs. Anthony Bonsante (24-3-3).
Fri. Telefutura, 9 p.m., Jose Cotto (20-0) vs. Luis Fuente (24-3-1).
Sat. Telemundo, 11:30 a.m. PT/ 2:30 p.m. ET, David Diaz (23-0) vs. Ener Julio (25-6-1).
Sat. NBC, 12:30 p.m. PT/ 3:30 p.m. ET, Sergio Mora (11-0) vs. Les Ralston (13-0).
Sat. HBO pay-per-view, 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET, Roy Jones Jr. (49-1) vs. Antonio Tarver (21-2).
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