Talking Boxing with JULIO DIAZ
"I can dance all night, forever...I won’t break down"
by
Brian Skjold
2/28 - In today’s world of super champs and pay-per-views, it’s easy for a guy like Julio Diaz to get lost in the mix. At the tender age of 25, Diaz has had a full career, including many ups and downs. A controversial loss, a shocking upset, winning the IBF title, voluntarily giving up his belt without ever getting a chance to defend it, and now 32 fights later Diaz finds himself at the pinnacle of his boxing career.
“It’s tough…I’ve fought great fighters. I have to fight the tough opponent out there. I don’t have the luxury of being set up and carried through my career.”
Diaz has now officially graduated from hot prospect to legitimate contender. Fighting for his second world title in as many fights, Julio is finally getting the chance to make the most of his situation.
“...in my career it seems like I’ve been fighting forever. It’s because it’s been so rocky, up and down. I have to do this now. You start to lose patience after awhile.”
On Saturday March 5 at 10:30 p.m., Showtime will be broadcasting the much anticipated clash between Julio Diaz and Jose Luis Castillo, for the WBC Lightweight Title. Castillo is considered by many to be the best lightweight in the world right now. He poses a considerable threat to anyone who challenges him, but Diaz knows what to watch out for.
"I’m hyping him up like he’s a monster..I’ll be ready for a monster"
“… his aggressiveness and his power. I just [have to] be aware of everything because I know he’s a tough fighter and I’m giving him all the respect in the world. I’m hyping him up to myself like he’s a monster and I’ll be ready for a monster.”
In boxing, styles make fights. Julio Diaz is a classic boxer who is not afraid to bang. His speed and agility have carried him through many fights, allowing him to stay out of trouble and create openings in his opponent’s defense. He has also shown great determination and toughness in the ring. Castillo is a tough aggressive power punching fighter, with a chin of granite. He likes to keep the pressure on and wear down his opponents with his great body work. Castillo comes to fight from bell to bell. Diaz and Castillo have uniquely different styles that should prove to be an exciting match up. Even so, Diaz is confident that he’s already got Castillo figured out.
“Castillo only has one mode, only one style of fighting. That’s all he knows, no matter what he trains for. When that bell rings a fighter will automatically go back to his original stance and his original fighting style. So, no matter what, I know it’s going to be the same Castillo.”
Diaz says he is accustomed to fighting big, aggressive power punchers like Castillo. His opponents in his last two fights, Courtney Burton and Javier Jauregui, both fit this mold. Like the other two, Diaz knows Castillo thinks he’s just a kid and won’t be able to handle the pressure. But, then again, Diaz has had no trouble winning against this style in the past.
"I can dance all night, forever. I won’t break down"
“I don’t know what these fighters keep on thinking…. They [think] that pressuring me and pressuring me and pressuring me is how they’re going to break me down, but they don’t understand that I can dance all night, forever. I won’t break down.”
Having confidence in yourself, your style and your game plan can be a lethal combination in the sport of boxing. Julio Diaz exudes confidence on all of these fronts. He knows that Castillo has had difficulties in the past with fast and elusive fighters, like Floyd Mayweather Jr., and he realizes that Castillo’s style could play right into his hands.
“…one of the best ways to beat Castillo comes natural to me. Be a boxer, [be] intelligent and out box. That’s my natural style. I’ll just go have fun and do what I do naturally. It will be easier for me to make my fight plan because that’s just who I am.”
Julio Diaz made an unprecedented move by voluntarily relinquishing his IBF title in order to make the best fight for himself. A fight that he believes will finally prove he’s a worthy fighter who deserves to be at the top and in a big televised show like this one. He might be fighting for the WBC title, but more importantly he’s looking to beat Castillo.
“… because the boxing world makes him out to be a monster…and [they] make him into this big thing. And that’s all right. Hopefully when I beat him I’ll get some credit.”
Win, lose or draw, we can expect to see Julio Diaz around for some time. But, he makes it clear that he sets high standards for himself and his career.
“I’ll be around as long as things are going my way. I’m not going to be humiliating myself and begging the boxing world on my knees. You’ll never see me take a fight just for the money. I’ll never be a tune up fight or a stepping stone for someone else. As long as the boxing world gives me a little respect and a chance, than I’ll be there performing great and trying to do the best for boxing.”
"There’s going to be a big upset"
The time is now for Julio Diaz to break out of the mix and into the spotlight. The stage is set for him to take on a fighter he’s confident he can beat, and he’s ready to shock the world.
“Hopefully things will go my way, and people will start believing in me. There’s going to be a big upset.”
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