A future Hall of Famer along with Arizona’s controversial SB 1070 has Boxing’s ‘Baby Bull’ seeing Red

By Steve Galindo III

There are two dates on the upcoming calendar that former three-time world champion Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz has embedded in his head. Two dates. One represents a dream, the other a reality. On July 31, the 26-year-old Houston, Texas native will have the opportunity to recapture his dream of becoming the unified Lightweight champion of the world. In order for Diaz to accomplish this feat, he will have to exact revenge on Mexico’s number one fighter, Juan Manuel Marquez. Known as Dinimita, (or dynamite), Marquez, (50-5, 37 KOs), is responsible for taking Diaz’s belts, and for giving him the worst beating of his existence.

   Last year, the two waged a brutal, bloody battle that was reminiscent of two Gladiators going life, and limb with one another. In the end, it would be Marquez that would emerge as the victorvia a spectacular ninth round TKO. Despite winning accolades, and praise for being a part of the 2009 Fight of the Year, Diaz was not content. He won’t be, until he defeats the Mexican legend, and becomes a four- time world champion. To ensure that his dream comes true, he has had to put his many endeavors on hold. Apart from being a professional prizefighter for the past decade Diaz is also: A father to a three-year-old son, a College Graduate with a Degree in Political Science, an Entrepreneur who owns, and operates a successful construction company, an aspiring Attorney who hopes to enroll in Law School next year, and an Activist. Juan has been a volunteer with The League of Women Voters for many years.

   “I put all the other stuff aside,” Diaz said. “I know that boxing is my number one priority right now, without boxing I wouldn’t be where I am at today.” While his boxing side remains focused on achieving a dream so seldom seen, his activist side is fully aware of the cruel reality that awaits his people on July 29. On that date, just two days before the biggest fight of his career, the State of Arizona is set to implement the harshest immigration bill in the country- the contentious SB 1070. The Bill would allow local Police to determine, or stop anybody that they believe has entered this country illegally. In his role as an activist, Diaz has been a champion for immigrant rights, and this topic is no different. It’s an issue that hits home for Juan (both of his parents immigrated to this country from Mexico), and for many Latinos living in this country. According to a study that was recently conducted by LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) the issue of Immigration has now surpassed the economy in terms of chief concerns among Latinos. La Prensa San Diego had an opportunity to catch up with Juan Diaz earlier in the week to get his thoughts on his upcoming bout, and on Arizona’s SB1070.

   La Prensa: How is training camp going for your bout against Juan Manuel Marquez, and how are you doing as far as your weight?

   Juan Diaz:  Training camp is going great; this is the last hard week of training, putting everything together, and in place. (My) Weight is perfect right now. I’m leaving the Gym weighing 138,139, so it’s not a problem with my weight.

   La Prensa: In your first fight with Marquez, the game plan was to start fast, and finish fast, what has been the focus of this camp.

   JD: It is to put pressure on Marquez, because obviously that strategy was working in the beginning. But also thinking a little bit more when throwing my punches, and not just throw them because to throw them, think a little bit more, and make sure that they land.

   LP: In the early goings of your first bout with Marquez, you were dominating the fight, were you surprised at how easy it was to connect?

   JD: Yeah it was easy, and I think that’s why I got carried away, and too excited. Because I saw that it was so easy to hit him in the first few rounds. I let my guard down, I stopped thinking, and I was just fighting, and I think that’s what caused me to lose.

   LP: Everybody is talking about the future plans of Juan Manuel Marquez. They are talking about him possibly fighting Manny Pacquiao, and Amir Khan, and nobody is talking about your future plans. What are your plans should you win?

   JD: That’s like music to my ears, that nobody is counting me to win, and that is what’s motivating me. I’m not making any plans. My number one target right now is Juan Manuel Marquez. I’m not making any plan, that is why I know I am going to be successful this time around, because I only have one person in mind, and it’s Juan Manuel Marquez. After I beat him, I think that all the doors are going to open up.

   LP: What was the main lesson that you learned from the loss to Marquez?

   JD:  I learned to stay calm, and relax. To not get too excited, and anxious. I learned to stay patient, relax, and stay calm and under control.

   LP: Tell me a little about your aspirations to become a lawyer, and what type of Law would you like to practice? 

   JD: I thought about Immigration Lawyer, but now I’m thinking I want to stay in the sport arena, and maybe concentrate on contracts and sports law.

   LP: As a future Lawyer and community Activist, can I get your take on Arizona’s SB 1070?

   JD: I really don’t like it. I know that it’s the responsibility of the state to keep the welfare, and healthcare, and safety of the Citizens, but I think that it is doing harm to people in general. (People) Who are scared to go out, and to get checked by a Doctor because they think they are going to get deported. I think that when Law Enforcement gets in touch with immigrants, I believe that they are not going to treat them like humans, and they are just treating them like something out of this world. That is my main problem with the Law.

   LP: Seeing how you are very passionate about this Bill, does that passion motivate you, and translate inside the ring?

   JD: It motivates me, but I think that it does in its own way. I’m intelligent enough to know that by me winning or losing a fight, it’s not going to change the law of Arizona or immigration laws, but by me being an activist, and going out there to rally’s and protests that is a good start to help change.

   LP: Can you tell us a bit about your involvement with the League of Women Voters?

   JD: What we do is we go out to these naturalization ceremonies. That is when people become citizens of the United States, and we go encourage them to become registered voters, and we also explain to them what their rights are, what they can do as a resident/citizen of this Country.

   LP: Most athletes especially some fighters do not like to be seen as role models, how important is it for you to become a role model for your community?

   JD: It’s very, very important because a lot of times, especially now with both parents being in the workforce, especially with this economy, young adults and teenagers need somebody to look up to. I think that if they see that a Mexican-American who came from nothing, and has become a World Champion, and a College Graduate, if I can do it, then it might inspire them to do the same, or even better things than I have. Growing up both my parents were my role models. They didn’t go to high school, or graduate from college, but they were hard working, honest people- which really motivated, and inspired me to be the man that I am today.

   LP: Juan, would you like to give a message to all your fans.

   JD: I know that I have a lot of fans in San Diego, and I want to thank them for their support, and I want to let them know that this time around, watch out for the Baby Bull, because even though it’s in the middle of the year, I’m starting my year, and I have great things ahead of me.

   The July 31st Marquez vs. Diaz II pay-per-view telecast, begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, and has a suggested retail price of $49.95.