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December 12th, 2009 | by Coyote Duran, Sr. Editor
 Photo courtesy of Chris Bernacchi, Hoganphotos.com/Golden Boy Promotions This isn’t the first time Juan Diaz has come to Chicago. In 2007, “The Baby Bull”, then the WBA lightweight titlist, came to the Windy to challenge then-IBF lightweight titleholder Julio Diaz. The younger Diaz secured a ninth-round TKO win and the IBF belt en route to developing a solid lightweight resume.
Thanks to veteran Nate Campbell, that all came to a crashing halt when “The Galaxxy Warrior” beat Diaz into a lumpy mess over 12 rounds in March of 2008. Suddenly, the Houston native had some serious re-evaluating ahead of him. Diaz has already amassed a successful seven defenses of the WBA strap he won from Lakva Sim back in July of 2004 in the rear view and was one step closer to making his pre-law bones in college. When you’ve already gotten so much accomplished with nothing but brass rings to grab ahead of you, who needs this sport?
Diaz did. And he not only stuck around, but bounced back from the Campbell loss with a split decision victory over Australian Michael Katsidis in September 2008 before running headfirst into current THE RING magazine World Lightweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez almost six months later. To most observers, Diaz was winning the fight when Marquez came on strong and dispatched the younger Houstonian in nine.
Once again, Diaz, 35-2 (17), found himself without a real sense of where his place was in the lightweight division. The once bright luster of a well fought for “0” was fading as many fans wondered if Diaz was, just as well, fading before his prime.
Diaz very well could’ve taken the easier tune-up route. Who honestly would’ve blamed him? It most certainly would’ve been his right in doing so. But I’m not sure Juan Diaz really even knows what an easy fight is. That’s probably why he faced former IBF junior welterweight titleholder Paul Malignaggi less than six months later.
It’s either that or Malignaggi was Diaz’ idea of an easy go. Bummer, man.
(I’m pretty sure the former scenario is fairly accurate, kids.)
And it truly sank in how un-easy Malignaggi truly was. The Brooklyn resident wasn’t there to fall over for Diaz. On the contrary, 26-3 (5), presented a huge problem for Diaz by not fighting Diaz’ fight; employing the trademark “Magic Man” bravery we’re quite familiar with. Malignaggi matched Diaz’ pressure and volume punching with his speed and jab so well, a classic-yet-unexpected rivalry emerged, reminiscent of the resilient, socially chemical reaction of Holmes (Sherlock, not Larry) vs. Moriarty. Even if Malignaggi didn’t expect a bum decision prior to August 22, there was almost a pre-destined need for these two to meet again. Official ringside judge Gale Van Hoy pulled the mightiest boner of the night; scoring in favor of Diaz, 118-110, not so much swaying the actual decision itself (Raul Caiz Jr., ironically who Malignaggi worried the most about, scored the fight a plausible 115-113 for Diaz while David Sutherland saw the fight a sketchy 116-112 for Diaz as well.) but gaining the most heat for questionable, personal scoring criteria.
Yet, unreasonably and as a whole, the state of Texas and Diaz took just as much flack as Van Hoy. Diaz was simply there to do his job and do it as unyieldingly as is his wont. Malignaggi, as reasonably hacked as Diaz was misjudged, went on a tear; using every outlet possible to spread the message of his discontent; even taking to the Internet, using social networking sites Facebook and Twitter to enlist fans as soldiers in the fight for a rematch. Even still, on the eve of their second meeting, Malignaggi tirelessly self-promotes the fight. And, even still, his fans are solidly behind him and bat-sh*t for a victory, ass-whupping or schooling.
Diaz remains the unflappable gentleman who was in the right place at the right time on August 22. With the congenial demeanor comes the repaved direction Diaz must travel.
In a sense, Diaz has already traveled that direction and just doesn’t realize it. He started the trip after the Marquez fight and had a bumpy ride journeying into junior welterweight. His destination, ultimately, is acclimation and success at 140. As much as he craved finding a true place at lightweight, Diaz’ roots will need decisive planting with a decisive decision over Malignaggi. Chicago is indeed the right place to deliver it.
Curiously, Paul Malignaggi considered Chicago as a potential locale tonight’s rematch along with New York City. It’s a move much appreciated by local fans whose main source of boxing is brought to them, without fail, by Windy City mainstay 8 Count Promotions. Not surprisingly, 8 Count is also co-promoting Diaz-Malignaggi II in the first premium cable boxing event (broadcast live on HBO’s “Boxing After Dark”, 10:15 PM ET/PT, 9:15 PM central) in Chicago since…whaddya know? Juan Diaz vs. Julio Diaz in October of 2007. Hence establishing a very minor familiarity with Diaz’ Moriarty and not so much Malignaggi’s Holmes. This isn’t to say, as opposed to spotty political history, that Chicago fans and judges have a preference from the get-go for Diaz. It’s incidence of coincidence.
And it’s a rather big event for the city. It’s own 11-fight undercard is kind of a party-before-the-party, stretching from about 3 PM, local time past whenever Victor Ortiz vs. Antonio Diaz ends. As far as venues go, 8 Count’s selection of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Pavilion arena, this year, was the epitome of selection savvy. Smaller than the United Center, the UIC Pavilion boasts no bad seats and a jumbo-sized screen for full view and instant replays. And the “El” train gets me there. Bonus woof. Altogether, a new locale for Juan Diaz and Paul Malignaggi; therefore a fresh new start for both fighters.
How fresh both men will be after less than four months without each other is up in the air. Even before benefiting from an unbalanced decision, Diaz reinforced his confidence; somewhat by proving his Achilles’ Heel was strengthening by fighting through a Malignaggi-induced cut. If Diaz can effectively take away Malignaggi’s room to breathe (and jab), he can take this bout by a comfortable decision.
But Malignaggi, true to form, will refuse to respect Diaz to that extent. That’s where the chemical reaction comes in. Both men have worked hard in anticipation of this event. There’s no reason for this rematch to be personal but more than before, it is and it’s laying serious groundwork for both men’s futures. If the fight results in a draw, fans will clamor for the rubbermatch. If Malignaggi wins, fans will clamor for the rubbermatch. If Diaz wins, by another disputed decision, fans will clamor for the rubbermatch; yet Diaz might not be so accepting, tiring of the though of facing the Italian. If Diaz solidly wins without contest, obviously you can forget about another meeting and the message boards will probably light up with calls for Malignaggi to go away.
If Malignaggi out-skills Diaz and wins tonight, Malignaggi will very likely offer a rematch to accent his bravado. But Diaz’ critics might have already rendered their verdict and once again, his sense of who he might be in the junior welterweight division will be cloudy once more.
But, at the same time, we can all be sure that Diaz still didn’t take the easy go.
This entry was posted on Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 4:39 AM.
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December 13th, 2009 at 2:42 PM
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