Juan Diaz comments on Cotto fight

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=6595&more=1

12.04.06 - Anything in the Cotto bout surprise you? “I was surprised by the way Cotto came out in round one. He was throwing more punches than I expected and fighting in a different style than I’d seen him fight. He was using his jab more . . . After the first round I said I better get busier or this is going to be a long night.”

When did you feel that you were taking over the bout?

“In the fifth or sixth round Ronnie Shields told me to box Cotto and that he wouldn’t be able to touch me if I did. I started using my jab more and boxing more, and I felt pretty comfortable after that . . . The key was the jab. Every time he set up to throw something, I’d pop him with a jab or two and he wouldn’t be able to get off . . . He showed great sportsmanship when it was over. After the decision he shook my hand and thanked me for the opportunity to challenge for my title . . . It was a tough fight, but there are other fights that I’ve had that I consider tougher, like the Ubaldo Hernandez fight. That was the first time I was knocked down and cut.”

Next is your mandatory against Lakva Sim, the fighter you beat for the title. Any thoughts?

“Sim is a good, tough fighter. But I can’t help but wonder whether the fight will happen or not because I was supposed to fight him three times already. It’s not his fault. Things happen. I just wonder whether something else will happen to prevent the fight. I want to fight him again because he’s a worthy challenger. I think he’s one of the top-5 lightweights in the world.”

Should you get by Sim, who would you like to fight?

“There are lots of guys up there at the top: Castillo, Corrales, Freitas. I’d like to fight any of them—any of them who will give me the opportunity . . . Castillo’s style probably matches up best with me because he comes straight forward and I come forward. It would make for a great fight.”

After our conversation Diaz left the gym to go home and prepare for his afternoon classes at the University of Houston Downtown where he is a junior with a 3.0 GPA who majors in Government. Today Diaz had to attend three courses: “Corrections & Criminal Justice”, “Policing in America”, and “Criminology”.

Is it difficult going back to class after a big fight like Saturday’s?

“Yes, it is. When I got home on Sunday all I wanted to do was rest and watch TV, but I had to force myself to do some homework . . .This week is especially important because I have exams, so I have to get on it”