Juan Diaz is in training for his second fight with Juan Manual Marquez, that takes place on July 31 in Las Vegas. He expects the outcome to be different this time around.
Diaz, a confident man, understands that despite his loss by a KO in the ninth round the April 2009 fight has been dubbed the "Fight of the Year" by ESPN.com, Ring Magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
For the former lightweight champion, the past year has been as much about his future as his present. And that future holds much more for him than more boxing.
On that side of his life ledger, since his defeat by Marquez he has a win (August 2009) and a loss (December 2009) to junior welterweight Paulie Malignaggi. Both fights were won on decisions, the first of which is still spoken about as very controversial.
Paulie Malignaggi's manic tweets about his future
Asked if he wants to step up in weight class in the future, Diaz sounded firm. "When I fought at the 138-140 pound-level it didn't feel good to me."
A graduate of the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in political science, Diaz intends to go to law school. He has been training for that as hard as he has for any big fight.
His time in college ran concurrent with his biggest success as a boxer. Diaz told me, "At the peak of my career, two-three years ago, I was juggling up to four classes each semester. I attended night school and didn't find it difficult to rise to the top of my weight class at the same time."
In April 2010 he enrolled in a prep course prior to taking the June 7, 2010 Law School Aptitude Test (LSAT), a standardized test that along with a person's college GPA determines what law school will accept you.
"I started taking the Kaplan review course and expected to take the test on June 7th this year. It was going great and I was dedicating my time to classes, the exercises they give you and the practice exams.
"Then in May, I started training for the second fight with Marquez." He added,"I look at this fight as perhaps the biggest of my career."
A funny thing happened on the way to the LSAT on June 7. "The LSAT practice tests and study were kicking my butt," said Diaz.
"In college, I had peers to help out, professors to consult and writing centers to assist. With the LSAT, you're on your own. I realized I couldn't do both and do them well."
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Comments
these two Gents need no tattoo, unlike Pedman who also wear ear rings ala black style. Hypocrit want to be a saint but we already know his faults SUCIO Nasty Pinoy
People take a trip to PI and know the true
When is Runito Run-aire the pinoy rush will fight a real opponent like Rodrigo Guerrero or Abner Mares, instead of hand pick boxers. Concepcion gave him the run for his pisos
Rodent Mayol and Nino need to rematch, Mayol need to tame that head and he will prevail
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