Q&A: Joel Diaz Jr.

Photo: Boxing360

As initially reported on Fightnews, power-punching teen sensation Joel Diaz Jr. (6-0, 5 KOs) of Palmdale, California will make his Showtime debut Friday night on a special edition of ShoBox. Diaz will take on unbeaten Guy Robb (7-0, 3 KOs) of Fresno, California. The 19-year-old has flashed impressive power recording four of his five KOs in the first round. Fightnews caught up with Diaz shortly after he received the news of his upcoming bout.

You’re only 19 years old. How extensive of an amateur career did you have?

My father Joel Diaz Sr. got me started in boxing at the age of 8. I finished my amateur career with a record of 85-10.

Though you only have six professional fights you have been getting a lot of attention for being advanced in your skill level beyond your age. What do you think has attributed to that?

I have been sparring a lot at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, CA. closing in on a year now. There are some really top notch fighters there. I have held my own in sparring and have been earning alot of respect.

What do you know about your opponent Guy Robb?

Aside from the fact that he is unbeaten, I don’t know much about him. My trainer has seen him fight before and has a plan to use against him. I myself just train and listen to what my trainer instructs me to do.

You’re fairly tall for the 130 pound division at 5 ft 7 but you seem more of a puncher than a boxer who uses his height. Is that a fair assessement?

I’m definitely heavy-handed but I can box as well. If I have to box in this upcoming fight to get the win then I will do so.

You’re taking this fight on very short notice. Were you already in training?

Yes. I’m always in training and it’s for this very reason. You never know when you are going to get an opportunity like this. You have to be ready and I am.

I know you must get asked this alot but what is the story behind the expanded earlobs with large earings?

(laughing) Yeah I do get asked that a lot. People say they look like car tire rims. (laughing) I got the idea back when I was like 14 years old after seeing someone with this similar look. I started out with diamonds ear rings and over time I increased the size of the ear rings and now my earlobs have stretched to a full one inch. I’m not looking to make them any bigger. This is my look though. It’s just me.

Obviously you can’t fight with the earings in, leaving you to fight with the expanded open earlobs. Any troubles in fights so far with this?

None at all. I take them out before sparring and before fights and the holes close up some but I have not had any problems.

How important is it for you to not only to win this fight but to do so impressively?

It’s very important to me. This is an opportunity for me to make myself in demand to want to be seen again by the fans watching. I have a one-year-old son and I’m am fighting to provide for him and his future. I need to keep getting these types of fight opportunities to advance further in my career.

January 16th, 2012

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