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12/12/2003 Archived Entry: "A Step Up in Class"
A Step Up in Class: An Interview with David Diaz
by Juan C. Ayllon
It is Friday, December 12. Tonight, at the DePaul Athletic Center in Chicago, Illinois, undefeated ex-Olympian junior welterweight, David Diaz, will take on his toughest challenge to date. At 20-0 (12 wins via kayo), Diaz will be fighting tough veteran Frankie Sanchez, 13-9 (7), who has given world rated contenders Kermit Cintron and Francisco Bojado tough fights. In a bout featured on the NBC/Main Events Saturday Afternoon series last September, Diaz won a rugged decision over Jauquin Gallardo.
Last night, weigh in ceremonies were held at the grand opening of the beautiful JABB boxing gym. David Diaz tipped the scales at 141. Following the weigh-in, in which Diaz appeared very fit, sporting a lean, muscular look, I met with him in a corridor just off the large main room.
David Diaz struck me as a good looking, dedicated and sincere young man. As you will see, I found him to be both friendly and refreshingly candid.
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Juan Ayllon: Tell us who you are and where you're from. Are you originally from Chicago? David Diaz: I was born here in Chicago, but I can’t stand the cold man! I’m about the only Chicagoan who, I believe, that can’t stand the cold! (Laughs) I just got married this year in June. So, I’m a newlywed. I like to be with my family; hang out with the family most of the time and go out with my friends and stuff and have a good time and just relax. I listen to all kinds of music, play pool, basketball, volleyball and stuff like that.
JA: How old were you when you started boxing?
DD: When I started boxing, I was like about eight turning nine. My first fight was at nine years old. That was Welsh Park and started like 1984/85, somewhere around there. So, I’ve got like about 18 years doing this!”
JA: What was it like to be an Olyumpian?
DD: Yeah, I was an Olympian in 1996 in Atlanta for the U.S. I won my first fight and lost my second to Octarico who won the Silver. Overall, I think my amateur career went well.
JA: How would you describe yourself as a boxer? Boxer? Puncher? Boxer/puncher?
DD: I guess I can do a little bit of both. I can box when I have to and punch—exchange punches—when I have to. So, I would say I’m a combination of both. But, if it comes down to preferring one or the other, I think I’m more of a slugger than a boxer.
JA: There are a good number of fans that like the "Goncho Punch." Do you like to use that punch? [Editors note: The “Goncho Punch” is a wicked, hybrid hook/uppercut to the liver area, which was used to devastating effect by the likes of Mexican greats Ruben Olivares, Rodolpho Gonzalez and others; according to some, Mickey Ward used an okay, but not great version of this punch.]
DD: Yes, I try to throw every punch there if possible in order to try and hit my opponent and try and get the points, if not the knockout. So, I try to do everything—the “Goncho,” the hook, up at the bottom, the sides—everything.
JA: Now, how long have you been traiing for this fight?
DD: Training camp was about a month, a month and a half...because my last fight was in September. After that, I took off until October. There was the middle of October and then we started getting into the gym.
JA: What's your training schedule like? Can you describe a typical day for someone looking in from the outside?
DD: A typical day is getting up like about 6:00 A.M. in the morning, getting a run. We either run at Balleys [Health Club] or we do it outside, depending on the weather out here in Chicago. And, after that, we go to the gym like around noon and finish up like around 3:00. After that, it’s just a relax zone. Some days, I hit the cardio and the weights and stuff like that. So, if there’s a lot of stuff like that, it doesn’t get boring to me and I keep on doing it.
JA: A lot of fighter are starting to use weights. What do you like about weight lifting?
DD: Yeah, well, I don’t do like heavy weights or anything like that, but just a lot of repetitions. You know, just to tighten up the muscles and stuff like that and feel a little better, look a little better for the girls and stuff.
JA: (Laughs) Okay, what kind of diet are you following?
DD: I follow, pretty much, a high protein diet; high protein, no carbs. And that’s just basically what I’ve been following that for like about two years now. I eat like about four or five times a day. I eat plenty.
JA: What did you learn in your fight versus Joaquin Gallardo?
DD: Oh, wow. That was a brawl. I mean, that was just a fight where we went at it. The good thing I learned about it, is just to always be prepared because you never know. I expected Joaquin to come out and try to box. Man, he didn’t. He went in there and he slugged it out with me...So, if I wasn’t well prepared and I thought he was just going to come and box, I would have been in trouble.
The thing is that you always have to expect the unexpected. And, that’s what happened with him in my last fight. I thought he was going to come out and box and he didn’t. He came out and slugged. We went from round one to the eighth round throwing punches. So, it was a good fight. I came out with a unanimous decision and that helped me out a lot.
JA: Now I heard that you and Al Gonzalez have had pretty heated sparring sessions. Is that true?
DD: Oh, yeah! We’ve sparred a lot, like back in—before he got hurt and stuff [David gestured with his finger to his jaw; Al “Speedy” Gonzalez broke his jaw while winning a bloodbath against Johnny West-Gutierez last July]. We used to spar a lot and we used to get some nice, good rounds and stuff—something you need to do in the gym in order to better yourself.
JA: Can you tell us anything about how you plan to fight Frankie Sanchez?
DD: I heard Frankie Sanchez doesn’t go down for nothing! So, I’m boxing. I’m going to see if I can do a little bit of boxing Friday night. So, hopefully, I’ll be able to box and get the decision on points and be able to win.
JA: Where do you see yourself going after this fight?
DD: Well, after this fight, I see myself taking a little break. Then just go back to work again because I think in February we may already have a fight planned, if all goes well on Friday. And then, just keep on fighting and trying to 'knock at the door.' Zab Judah and everybody else should get ready for me because I'm coming.
JA: Who are the fighters you would like to fight next and why?
DD: Whoever’s at the top, whoever I have to beat to become champion. That’s who I want to fight. Whoever leads to the trail to fight the guy I gotta go through, I’m going to go through, ‘cause I’m determined to win the title next year.”
JA: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
DD: Just to keep an eye out for me and that I’ll be crowning myself champion hopefully in 2004 and thank everybody for their support.
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Tickets for tonight's fights, ranging as low as $25, can be purchased by calling 312-842-3800. The DePaul Athletic Center is located at 2323 N. Sheffield in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago. Doors open at 7pm, first bell is at 8pm.
Results of the yesterday's weigh-in were as follows:
David Diaz 141--Frankie Sanchez 143, 8 rounds Al Gonzales 141--Carlos Navarez 142, 6 roundsDarling Jimenez 134--Mario Lacey 133, 8 roundsLuciano Perez 148--Christian Nash 148, 4 roundsGiovanni Lorenzo 162--Adam Stewart 162, 6 rounds
