I’m Picking Diaz
 By Julian Kasdin (Oct 13, 2007) DoghouseBoxing (Photo © HBO)
This Saturday Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, 32-0 (16), and Julio ‘The Kid’ Diaz, 34-3 (25), will fight in a WBA, WBO, and IBF lightweight unification bout that pits two of the sport’s best fighters against each other to determine who really is the best fighter at 135 pounds. Each fighter has certain attributes that can nullify his opponent’s advantages, and it is their combination of skill and athletic ability that has so many people excited. This is, without a doubt, the biggest fight at 135 since Castillo vs. Corrales, and can possibly provide fans with non-stop action that would give those great fighters a run for their money.
Juan Diaz has been on a roll the last few years. Sporting an undefeated record, bull-like physical strength, deceptive hand speed, and a clear will to win, he has become one of the most popular lower-weight fighters. It does not hurt that the young man has an in your-face-style, and an amazing ability to wear down his competitors. While he is not the hardest hitting fighter out there, it is that lack of one-punch power that adds to the excitement of his bouts, as it encourages his opposition to fire back instead of hiding in a defensive shell.
Julio Diaz has been up and down. He has some solid wins over the likes of Ricky Quiles, Jesus Chavez and Courtney Burton. While he has lost his fair share of fights, there is no shame in losing to such fighters as Jose Luis Castillo and Angel Manfredy, especially when you consider he was 25 or younger in both of those losses.
Julio is the taller fighter, with better one-punch power and a greater ability to fight from range. Julio needs to keep this fight at a distance, where his punching power, height and longer reach will be huge assets. He cannot let Juan catch up to him, and while Juan does not possess the power of Castillo, he does have better speed, which will only make an inside fight that much more uncomfortable.
How will this fight play out? I see it going a lot like the fight with Castillo. While I do not think Juan is as good as Jose Luis, I do think he is faster, which will enable him to better disrupt Julio’s rhythm. He also has not endured all the wars that Castillo has, and therefore is much fresher. Finally he is undefeated, and a man that has never lost is often hard to beat. I just think that Juan’s will to win will allow him to get past Julio’s reach and to gradually walk down and break down his more experienced foe. Give me Juan Diaz by late TKO or decision in a very entertaining fight.
Questions or comments,
e-mail  Julian at: Alcaldemb@aol.com
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