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10/11/2004 Archived Entry: "David Diaz Helping Prep Kostya Tszyu for Sharmba Mitchell as Sparring Partner"
David Diaz Helping Prep Kostya Tszyu for Sharmba Mitchell as Sparring Partner;
Future Bout with Miguel Cotto a Possibility
By Juan C. Ayllon
David Diaz (R) is currently sparring with Kostya Tszyu in Australia
Junior Welterweight prospect David Diaz (25-0-0, 13 KOs) has been in Australia working as a sparring partner for Kostya Tszyu (30-1-0, 24 KOs) for the last month. So says his manager, Jim Strickland: “He is scheduled to stay in Australia up through April 24th when Tszyu breaks camp to come to Phoenix for his fight.” Tszyu will be fighting Sharmba Mitchell (55-3-0, 30 KOs) for the IBF Light Welterweight World Title on November 6 at Glendale Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. Diaz is encouraged, saying that sparring has been going very well.
Strickland talked with Diaz several days ago. Diaz reported back to him that he has felt competitive with Tszyu throughout their sessions and that it has been a very beneficial experience. It has been a much more positive than his previous experience as sparring partner for Diego Corrales, who utilized his superior height and reach to great advantage. Although he lasted through the entire camp, Strickland said, “the match-up was very difficult compared to Kostya Tszyu largely because the difference between height being less [between Diaz and Tszyu].” This training camp experience with Tszyu, by comparison, has gone very well for Diaz.
On a separate note, recently David Diaz had been in serious discussions with Miguel Cotto for a proposed bout. However, Cotto opted instead to pursue a bout versus ‘Chop Chop’ Corley. According to Strickland, they left things open for a future match between Diaz and Cotto after the Corley bout.
Strickland would prefer to see Diaz fight for a world lightweight title first and then go for a junior welterweight title. This idea is further reinforced by Diaz’ current weight situation. According to Strickland, several days before a fight, Diaz always weighs about 138. “We feel that loosing the extra three pounds wouldn’t present a severe effort to David,” said Strickland.
That said, they are ready to fight at either lightweight or junior welterweight as the right opportunities present themselves.
For the time being, however, Diaz will continue to log in valuable time with Kostya Tszyu.
