Interview with Interim IBF Lightweight Champion Julio "The Kid" Diaz

By ROBERT JONES
Staff Writer FightNightNews
 

The Sycuan Promoted, Julio "The Kid" Diaz (33-3 24 KO's) has quite a large fan base because of his exciting wins that have been telecast on ESPN 2's "Friday Night Fights" over the last couple of years. He also gained quite a bit of new fans when he went toe to toe with Jose Luis Castillo, before it was stopped in the 10th round. Diaz has been in the news quite a bit lately. He was originally supposed to fight Acelino Freitas in Brazil, but just a few days ago Freitas announced his somewhat surprising retirement from the ring. That's fine with Diaz though, because he will now be fighting Jesus Chavez, November 25th, in McAllen, TX, for the IBF lightweight championship. Diaz is in full blown training now, so he didn't have much time to talk, but he did speak to us about his upcoming fight, the Freitas retirement, and a fight he hopes to get in the future.

That's fine with Diaz though, because he will now be fighting Jesus Chavez, November 25th, in McAllen, TX, for the IBF lightweight championship. Diaz is in full blown training now, so he didn't have much time to talk, but he did speak to FNN about his upcoming fight, the Freitas retirement, and a fight he hopes to get in the future.

Robert Jones: You were born in Mexico, but all of your fights have been in America. When did you move to America?

Juilo Diaz: Actually I was born in America. My parents are Mexican. They were born in Mexico.

RJ: At what age did you know you wanted to do this for a living?

JD: In the beginning, me and my brothers went to the gym and we all wanted to be boxers. So, I followed along, and after that I was pretty much in it. I enjoyed being around my brothers and learned from them and I started getting good.

RJ: You are currently the interim IBF lightweight champion. Your next opponent, Jesus Chavez is known as the IBF lightweight champion. Tell the readers who may not understand what the difference is between the interim title you hold and the title Chavez holds.

JD: Ok, he has the real, or the main title, but he couldn't defend it because he had an injury. So, they made an interim title so somebody could fight for it. So, I fought for it, and I got it. He has the real one. He and I are going to square off next month, for the real one, and see who takes it.

RJ: You were tentatively scheduled to fight Acelino Freitas on November 19th in Brazil. How much did his retirement announcement shock you?

JD: Well, I was surprised. We were supposed to fight next month and I was getting ready for that and he just decided to retire.

RJ: You'll be fighting Chavez in Texas, his home state. Can you ever expect to win a decision there?
 

JD: Well, I think so. Being that it's there, I think the crowd, and you guys will be the judges, which is more important to me.

I think it's embarrassing what boxing has been doing for most of these fights. Hopefully it will end soon now that it's caught a lot of people's attention and they are looking out for it.

RJ: Do you think you're early losses in your career and your spirited effort against Jose Luis Castillo last year have made you a better fighter today?


JD: Yeah, definitely. It was a great learning experience and I've learned a lot now.

RJ: You're nickname is “The Kid.” If you beat Jesus Chavez in Texas, is it safe to say you would be “The Man?”

JD: (Laughs) Yeah, Yeah. (Laughs)

RJ: To this point of your career, what would you consider the high point?
 

 

JD: I think it would be the championship fights, and the title I've won.

RJ: Is there any fight you absolutely have to have before you decide to hang them up?

JD: I think that would be Juan Diaz (WBA lightweight champion). I think that would be a great one. I think that'd be a fight people want to see. It would answer a lot of questions of who I am.

RJ: Is there anything else you would like to get off of your chest before we wrap-up this interview?

JD: Just keep looking out because I'm coming back next month and, you know, I'm still here.

 

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