Antonio Diaz was born in Mexico, but lived in and fought out of Coachella, California. He opened his pro career with a first round knockout win at Coachella's Spotlight 29 Casino, over O'neill Reed.
He was 4-0 before taking his first defeat by a close split decision to fellow Californian Ruben Alvarado in 4 rounds. It seems he didn't want to leave it up to the judges any longer, as he bounced back with 5 straight knockout wins (4 in the first round)!
It was Sept. 21, 1996 when he took a huge step up and faced off with another rising contender - Juan Lazcano (11-1, 8 ko). The fight took place at The Aladdin Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. It went the full 6 rounds with Lazcano winning a razor-thin majority decision on scores of 58-56 twice, and 57-57. Even though it was a 2nd loss, that fight only proved that Diaz was a real contender.
He ran off 10 straight wins, included among those he defeated were Albuquerque, New Mexico's Rudy Lovato and Ameth Aranda.
Diaz was now 20-2 and was given a shot at the IBA Jr. Welterweight Title against defending champion Ahmed Santos (21-1-3). It was a great night for Antonio as he won his first title belt in grand fashion via scores of 120-106, 116-110, and 117-110. An impressive win. Diaz was a worthy champion who successfully defended that title 11 times! He only lost it by surrendering it to go after the WBC Welterweight Title against legendary champion - Shane Mosley.
His streak of IBA title defenses was incredible: Alberto Cortes (70-7-1), Patrick Thorns (18-1-1), Hector Quiroz (25-2-1), Cory Spinks (13-0), Mauro Lucero (32-4-1), Marlon Thomas (18-3-1), Emanuel Augustus (25-13-4), Terrell Finger (22-1-1), James Crayton (31-11-2), Ivan Robinson (29-3), Omar Weiss (33-1), and in a non-title fight just before facing Mosley for the WBC Title, he defeated "Irish" Micky Ward via 10-round unanimous decision! That was an incredible run which kept Diaz world ranked and a television favorite.
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| Dan Sisneros visits with Antonio Diaz at the Top Rank offices in 1999 |
It was Nov 4, 2000 when Diaz was named as the challenger for Shane Mosley's WBC Welterweight Title belt. The fight took place at Madison Square Garden. Diaz brought a record of 35-2 into this night as he faced a phenomenal champion in undefeated, and seemingly invincible Mosley (35-0). The bout was carried on HBO. There was no upset on this night, as "Sugar Shane" scored a 6th round tko over Diaz to defend his title.
4 wins later, Diaz found his self going after the vacant WBO Welterweight championship against Antonio Margarito (25-3). It was a closely contested title match, but Margarito was able to stop Diaz in round 10 to win the vacant title.
In his next bout, Antonio was cut from an unintentional head butt by his opponent Edwin Vazquez, and the bout was ruled a technical draw in round 2. He then lost a rematch with Hector Quiroz by technical knockout in round 9. Going 0-2-1 in those 3 bouts looked like the beginning of a slide in Antonio's career, but he proved that this was not the case, as he went 7-0 after the loss to Quiroz, and picked up the WBO Latino Jr. Middleweight title to boot!
Dec. 12, 2009 saw Diaz in a wild affair as he took on another world ranked contender - "Vicious" Victor Ortiz.
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| Diaz goes to war with Victor Ortiz |
Antonio would fight his final bout nearly 2 years later as he went out on top with a nice win over Ernesto "Baby" Zepeda at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
It was a fun ride that lasted a decade and a half! Diaz was one of the IBA's greatest champions, and always a favorite with boxing fans who tuned in to his televised and live bouts. He represented his fighting family very well. Antonio finished his pro career with an outstanding final tally of 47 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw, and won 30 of those by knockout!
Check out his impressive record at Boxrec.com: ANTONIO DIAZ's Pro record
If you would like to see this fan favorite in action, I have the following bouts available on DVD:
1. ONIEL REED [ko-1] (Pro Debut)
2. CHRIS VALDEZ [ko-1]
3. JORGE MORALES [ko-2]
4. JOSE LUIS CRUZ [ko-1]
5. AHMED SANTOS [w-12] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
6. PATRICK THORNS [ko-2] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
7. HECTOR QUIROZ #1 [tko-12] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
8. CORY SPINKS [w-12] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
9. MAURO LUCERO [ko-2] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
10. JUAN CARLOS RODRIGUEZ [w-10]
11. MARLON THOMAS [w-12] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
12. EMMANUEL AUGUSTUS (Burton) [w-12] {IBA Jr.Welter Title}
13. TERRELL FINGER [ko-7] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
14. JAMES CRAYTON [ko-7] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
15. IVAN ROBINSON [tko-11] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
16. OMAR WEIS [w-12] {IBA Jr. Welter Title}
17. MICKY WARD [w-10]
18. SHANE MOSLEY [tko-by-6] {WBC Welter Title]
19. GILBERT QUIROS [ko-4]
20. JORGE LUIS LOPEZ [tko-5]
21. OSCAR DELGADO [tko-6]
22. ORLANDO HOLLIS [tko-9]
23. ANTONIO MARGARITO [tko-by-10] {Vacant WBO Welter Title}
24. EDWIN VAZQUEZ [tech-draw-2]
25. HECTOR QUIROZ #2 [tko-by-9]
26. FELIX FLORES [w-12] {Vacant WBO Latino Jr. Middle Title}
27. FRANCISCO JAVIER CASTRO [w-10]
28. VICTOR ORTIZ [tko-by-7]
29. ERNESTO "Baby" ZEPEDA [tko-8] (*Antonio Diaz's LAST pro bout)
For more information contact me at:
The Boxing Guru via E-mail
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