13.10.07 – By Matthew Hurley: Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz imposed his will on Julio Diaz in a grinding performance that earned him the unified World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation lightweight belts when Julio did not answer the bell for the 9th round.
Going into the bout most assumed that the only way for Julio to win the fight would be to establish his jab and counter punch Juan from the center of the ring. He was unable to keep the stronger Juan Diaz off him and “The Baby Bull” was able to establish his rhythm and dictate the pace of the bout. In refusing to allow Julio any room to box Juan took “The Kidd” out of his game plan and systematically broke him down.
The end came when Julio refused to answer the bell for the 9th round.
“He was tougher than I thought,” Juan said after the bout. “I thought he would box a little more, but he can punch. He was a tough guy. But right now, I feel like King Kong.”
Juan’s gracious sentiments didn’t articulate his dominance in the fight. Asked what he would like to do next, Juan turned his sights on the one fighter in the lower weight divisions who everyone targets. “Manny Pacquiao just beat an old Mexican warrior in Marco Antonio Barrera. I think it’s time for him to step up and fight a young Mexican warrior.”
With Pacquiao’s intention to stay at super featherweight the best match up for Juan Diaz right now would be against either WBC lightweight champion David Diaz or the man most consider the true champion at lightweight, Joel Casamayor. Whoever he chooses, the young, exciting fighter from Houston, Texas is staking his claim as one of the next big stars on the boxing scene.