The man hugged them tight then picked them up. The Diaz brothers are currently training Avni Yildirim for his Feb. 27 bout versus middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, and Bektemir Melikuziev for his fight later this month in Russia against former world champion Sergey Kovalev. What happens when a boxer kills his opponent? Instructions are yelled in four languages; English, Spanish, Uzbek and Russian. More. "The Diaz brothers know what it takes to have a wonderful gym," said Brandun Lee, an unbeaten super lightweight (22-0) contender who has trained at the building. Diaz, the eldest brother in a boxing family that produced two world champions in brothers. It's Friday and that means it's sparring day for his pros. Way too many distractions. How he works with the youth, he brings and trains them to show them what it takes to excel in this sport and in life and that is remarkable.. Boxing Home Schedule Champions Divisional Rankings P4P Historic Bouts Tickets But he likes it. Not just them, but everyone here. It will mean a lot to Joel to finally have a place of his own, though. Diaz Jr. (26-2, 22 KOs) is 30 years old and still has dreams of becoming a world champion and won't let two losses detract him from his dream. You gave somebody too much authority of your life,'" Diaz said. 1996-10-19: Phillip Holiday: 28 0 0: Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg L-UD. The reach for glory finally within their grasp. In round eight, another accidental head butt widened and deepened the gash. As Marquez was being examined by the ring doctor, Cole informed Marquez that he was ahead on the scorecards, volunteering this information while holding his hand over his HBO wireless mike. In Joel Diaz gym Indio CA | esnews - YouTube 0:00 / 3:46 Future champ hits mitts fast but his nick name is "turtle"? Indio Councilman Glenn Miller volunteered his help. Between rounds, Diaz keeps teaching. He fought because he saw it as his path to escape from the desert where the harsh realities of life operate at high decibels. This was yet another shocker, but others (including Kostya Tszyu, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and even Ali) had done so and the criticism this time seemed disproportionate. Hemet District Office. Diaz knows it was an accident. This was a roughhousing 39-1-1 Argentinian fighting an equally tough 33-0 Brazilian. His chief second bullied him into coming out for another round. "This is a bad area." Now all I have to do is make it shine. The building boasts 10-foot ceilings and the design for the space is expansive. He says he will because next time he just might cut off Acosta's finger. "You'll see." But on the other hand, how can an official involved in prizefighting deny any fighter the right to make a million dollar payday if both parties are willing? "It's a different place, and a different world, within the same community." As for the Hyena, on April 8, 2005, he won the WBO junior lightweight title with a fourth round stoppage of undefeated but overweight Mike Anchondo. He said he thinks about that often when hes pushing a broom and putting work into the gym that before last year he never really thought about building. Jorge Newman and Eduardo Salazar are from Cancun, Mexico, and first met Diaz while he was training a boxer for a fight in Mexico. Joel Diaz 18: 3: 0: 4 KOs 2 KOs; wiki. Cracks that looked like spider webs, spread across the cold floor in a place just big enough for a couple of heavy bags and a boxing ring where firetrucks once parked. Diaz throws up his frustrated hands. He's nonetheless working to finish the entryway and his workplace contained in the gymnasium, off Indio Boulevard, however the remainder of the 6,250-square foot area has . The elder Cole, now 87 years old, served 21 years as head of the Texas Department of Combat Sports Regulation before stepping down on April 30, 2014. He's showing fighters how to pivot their feet to maximize their leverage. "Those types of values and principles are instilled in the kids many times. He tells a boxer what he wants by showing it with his own body, moving his legs as if he's evading punches. The best known is Dmitry Bivol. And although Joel has long been considered one of boxing's best trainers, being part of Bivol's team, and Bivol beating Canelo, who hadn't lost in nine years, made people take further notice of what was happening in this boxing gym out in the desert. While still yelling instructions, Diaz is organizing who'll fight next. Antonio Diaz works with Vergil Ortiz Jr. inside one of the boxing rings on movement and punching accuracy. But also, you can see up close what devotion looks like and learn how to overcome obstacles that would break less hearty souls. He's on the main ring, next to the banner with his logo on it, a gamecock wearing boxing gloves, circled by the gym's name: Joel Diaz Training Camp. "You're going to lose your eye," the doctor warned. Joel has given them his phone number and theyve called him whenever they notice any suspicious activity at the building. His gravelly voice, built for teaching people how to fight, makes you wonder whether he has found peace at 50 years old, or whether he's too busy to give much thought to what he lost more than a half-life ago. To make the hurt worse, he was one round short of qualifying for California's boxer pension. Im about helping the community, Diaz said. That's where Diaz and his brother Antonio (or Too, as he's commonly called) trained. He might see everything, but he can't be everywhere. I barely slept for a year while I was working on this, said Diaz, who has wonworld titleswith 13 differentboxers during his two decades as a trainer. Heavy bags, speed bags, weights, chin-up bars and two boxing rings are all used simultaneously by the different boxers. They also want to provide school supplies for less-fortunate families at the start of the school year and turkeys at Thanksgiving. Joel Diaz Boxing | Indio CA. When I'm not here, that's gonna be a legacy that is gonna stay behind because it's the story of my life. Maybe a thousand other things and it would've been different. Mucio has a fight sometime in June or July, so in a few weeks, they'll return to train again in the Coachella Valley. Box-am Box-pro . Otherwise any future fights for the Philippine great will not be forthcoming. It's the old gym that's now a restaurant, the place where every day he and his fighters swept away plaster and pieces of concrete that fell from the walls. Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio has grapefruit trees on its compound alongside the plush hotel swimming pool. "You got to come in like this," he says, as he moves side to side while throwing punches. At the screening, were friends and family of Joel Diaz, along with important members of the community, like Congressman Raul Ruiz. Bethany Mollenkof for ESPN. he shouts at no one and everyone at once. In boxing and in life, it is always better to give than to receive. Hes just waiting for his time.. The rest is history. Diaz sings again, only stopping to tell Gracia to visit an optometrist. See a problem? He went on to claim the WBO world lightweight title with a split decision over Zahir Raheem, but that fight was a snoozefest and he lost the title in his first defense against Juan Baby Bull Diaz. He's worked with his younger brothers, Antonio and Julio, as they captured world titles. He's on the main ring, next to the banner with his logo on it, a gamecock wearing boxing gloves, circled by the gym's name: Joel Diaz Training Camp. In 1987, when the U.S. Supreme Court decided that neither the state of California nor Riverside County could dictate authority over the various American Indian tribes, it changed the landscape for good and brought professional boxing to the forefront. From noon until past midnight, they'll listen to emerging artists and superstars alike. The type of place that looks as if the things happening there are kept secret. Reminders of that past are everywhere on the valley's east side, in schools and parks named after Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. He became a professional boxer. Last March, as the ongoing pandemic surged throughout the country, Diaz was told by Indio Boys & Girls Club administratorsthat hecould not continue to train professional boxers at thepublic facility that would remain closed for a fewmonths. As was his career overall, maybe not well enough where he could quit his construction job, but things were getting better. But not before a full day of training. A lot of the boxers are just like me.". "It's a good way to stay focused on training," Bivol said of using Joel's gym. To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE. We begin with Joel's enforced retirement and the ups and downs that followed, before looking at his experiences as a trainer, taking us up to his current bunch of fighters. : Thank you head trainer Joel Diaz of the Indio, Ca. Another boxer training with them, world super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, will defend his two titles in March. The Vaseline and the cotton swabs. Gracia asks him in Spanish. "Cordova was a tough opponent," Acosta says. Ive never won any kind of award before in my life, said Munguia at the Westside Boxing Club in the western portion of Los Angeles. Back then, to raise funds for travel, Lee sold raffle tickets where the prizes were pigs and cows and TVs. "Honestly, it makes me happy because at one point, you know, life is short. Share. He said that he expects the gym to live on long after he one day retires. He'sexcited about it, and I'm happy for him.". He was fan-friendly and idolized in Brazil. The list goes on. They both scored the fight 76-75 for Mattice, enabling the Ohio fighter to keep his undefeated record intact via a split decision. Mercito Gesta vs Joel Diaz Jr at Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio Filipino boxer Mercito 'No Mercy' Gesta will take on twice beaten Joel Diaz Jr in a 10 round Lightweight bout. After a year building his own boxing gym in Indio, doing much of the work by himself, trainer Joel Diaz is close toopening it to the community. Though Bradley had speed and agility and could easily fight 10 rounds without getting touched, he was being sculpted into a fan friendly action packed fighter. How a gym in California's Coachella Valley became an international destination for boxing. Diaz believes his training camp will be as well. Neither fighter looked good in their fight in Malaysia but when Pacquiao floored Matthysse several times during the fight, it raised some red flags. He hopes the facility, which he wants to name Indio Athletic & Youth Center, will one day be a part of his legacy in the valley. Around the turn of the 20th century, the Colorado River was diverted, and water flowed into what was barren desert. More: The pandemic shut down his boxing club. He sings a Chalino Snchez song called "Recordando A Armando" that was playing earlier and must have gotten stuck in his head. In about a week from Acosta's fight, the Coachella music festival will start. He would fight one more time before retiring as a fighter and continuing as a trainer. These later wins, though against lower level opposition, somewhat softened the memories of the Corrales and Diaz fights, both of which this writer attended at the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. With his right eye gone, so too went his dreams. He's looking at a boxer's pinkie to see how badly it's hurt. "His speed, his power and his footwork!" they say. The Boys & Girls Club has been a great place for us for so many years, Antonio Diaz said. When he was active as a fighter Antonio captured the IBA world welterweight title and fought many of the best fighters in the world including Sugar Shane Mosley for the WBC welterweight world title in November 2000. That side is where most of the Coachella Valley's tourist industry is centered. In the beginning of round 12, Freitas was able to score an early knockdown, and as Barrios stood up on wobbly legs and Freitas went straight at him and with a couple more shots, Barrios was clearly in bad shape and badly discombobulated and the fight was stopped. His promoter told him he'd soon fight for millions but that didn't happen. A furniture store occupied the space for a time, but it went out of business and the area has in recent years become known for drugs, prostitution and homelessness. The other to keep track of his day. During the fight, Salido made a mockery of the Queensberry rules for which he received no point deductions and only one warning. Joel trains WBO champion Timothy Bradley and Timothy Bradley Sr. also helps train the amateur kids at their Indio gym. Coles agency is purportedly in the top two nationally in writing these policies. To know that a kid from Coachella was coaching, Timothy Bradley and so many others to win world championship belts, it just brought a lot of pride, you know? event bout wiki. The unification fight takes place in Moscow, Russia and will be streamed via Klowd TV at 12 p.m. PT/ 3 p.m. Adjoining states in the west host a number of boxing cards including a world title contest that features a newcomer who, before knocking out a world champion, was erroneously categorized by a Nevada official as unworthy of a title challenge. Their relationship grew, brought closer by pain and uncertainty. At the screening, coach Diaz was enjoying the moment with his friends and family. Diaz teamed up with Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) late in October 2019 but due to . He's sitting in a foldable metallic chair, getting his post-fight medical examination. We are excited and honored to have coach Joel Diaz join us to teach a boxing class next Wednesday November 20th at 6pm at KBX Fitness Indio. Joel Diaz Boxing, Indio, California. Hes put in so much work on that place, said Diazs adult son, Joel Diaz Jr. Now, when hes in that building, you can tell that hes at home. Coach Diaz is one of the top boxing trainers in the world who has worked with many top boxing and MMA fighters. He says this side of Coachella is where fighters come from, and he swells with pride whenever he sees them on television. With pipes, tire irons and brass knuckles, Teamsters tried to intimidate the United Farm Workers out of contracts with growers. "No, it's OK," Gracia says, trying to keep the doctor away. Boxing trainer Joel Diaz is building his own gym in Indio after 18 years at Indio Boys & Girls Club Andrew L. John Palm Springs Desert Sun 0:00 0:24 Until last year, Joel Diaz hadn't. Motivated because he'd discovered what he was good at, even if, when he first started, he'd come home with his shirt full of blood. One of those guys is Bek The Bully, who'll rematch against Gabe Rosado on April 22. And in the cruel world of boxing, as he sits there and his team stands near, they can hear the voice of the man who just beat them. For three days on consecutive weekends, some of the biggest names in music perform in the country's largest festival. Lead announcer Barry Tompkins went further, calling it the worst decision he has seen in his 40 years of covering the sport. On October 19, 1996, Joel lost a twelve-round decision to undefeated IBF lightweight champion Philip Holiday in Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg. The pain of losing a child during pregnancy. Watch. Until then, hes going to enjoy living his dream in the space that he created. . With the boys gathered around me, I want to find out what they admire most about their trainer and pro fighter. Ted Sares is one of the oldest active full power lifters in the world. thesweetscience.com All rights reserved. "It hurts me," she says of watching her husband fight. Diaz believes this building will be the cherry on top of a great career in boxing. Work!" Barrios wanted to turn the fight into a street fight and was reasonably successful with that strategy. Social media influencers will be there too, charging thousands of dollars for a single post. So, it is something that we really admire, not just as a professional but as a human being and that is why doing the documentary was something like just an achievement because we already wanted to know more about his life.. And if all that weren't enough, there's always someone calling his phone. I would like to thank him, said Munguia about Bennetts refusal to allow him to fight Golovkin. Sometimes things happen for a reason, Diaz said on a weekday in early January, inside a gutted 6,250-square-foot building on Indio Blvd. Joel Diaz fought for the IBF world title against South Africas Phillip Holiday in 1996 and lost by decision. His last bout ever was a knockout win over the veteran Jos Luis Montes. He says he won the fight and wants a rematch. They aren't sure yet whether they'll go to Mexico or Puerto Rico first. Hed sit, often by himself, in the early stages of the project drawing designs from his ideas for the space. he sings. World champions and contenders fight along with boxers early in their careers, risking it all for a shot at their dreams. Theres no wasting time. There also will be an area for weight machines and a space at the front desk to purchase merchandiseof the world-famous boxers who train at the gym, including unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon MJ Akhmadaliev, Olympic welterweight silver medalist Shakhram Giyasov, Olympic flyweight gold medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov and Olympic middleweight silver medalist Bektemir Melikuziev. Too knew about the problem because he'd been Joel's sparring partner and saw how his brother couldn't see the left hook. Located about 128 miles east of Los Angeles and 95 miles north of the Mexican border, the Indio Boys and Girls club gym is roughly in the middle of nowhere unless you like golf. "Put him in the oven and slowly cook him, and when he's done, take him out.". Last May, Bivol beat Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, a boxer many considered the best in the world. Trainer extraordinaire Joel Diaz looks on as two boxers engage at his world-renowned gym in Indio, California. Find him on Twitter: @Andrew_L_John. Flores wins his fight in the first minute. Fantasy Springs Casino has a continuous schedule of boxing cards. Indio District Office. Waiting for his time just like a scorpion in the desert heat. "It's just a nick.". Bradley was groomed by the Diaz brothers into a professional style that was pleasing to boxing fans in the Southern California area. And one could site numerous other incidents where Coles performance came under scrutiny. Kids come after school to hit the bag and spar, too. By law in Texas (and in most other states), a boxing promoter must purchase insurance to cover medical costs in the event that one or more of the fighters on his show is seriously injured. Barrios got up at the count of 4, he didnt know where he was as he looked around towards the crowd like a kid separated from his family at a theme park, but Barrios turned to the ref at the count of 8 and signaled that he was okay, SAVED BY THE BELL. Hell then head to Swansons gym for the day and go back to his facility about two miles down the road for a few more hours before heading home. Also planned is an area for boxing memorabilia from the history of the Coachella Valley and the boxers whove trained and lived here. Boxing trainer Joel Daz bought and transformed the space during the COVID-19 pandemic. Popo had grown old. Order Online. When WBA/WBO super featherweight champion Acelino Popo Freitas met Jorge Rodrigo Il Hiena Barrios in Miami on August 8, 2003, there was more on the line than just the titles. Even if they share just a few words of a common language, they understand each other. For this indiscretion, Cole was prohibited from working a significant fight in Texas for the next six months. "We're waiting for the doctor.". Everything that was originally in the building was taken out to the trash except for a table and chair that he kept as a reminder. The brutal sun will make the gym in that once-bad place, so hot that in between rounds, boxers will drink their water and stand beneath the air conditioning vents that work best. He'd scream and yell. It's one of the desert's last major tourist events before the population plummets in the summer. a voice among the many in the dressing room yells. Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel. "The f---ing check bounced," Joel still remembers. Thirsty for liquid, the burning desert absorbed each drop of blood. He trusts him with his gym and with his boxers' lives. While hes had some help, Diaz has done the majority of the work himself. Joel Diaz sounds like a drill sergeant and constantly harangues the various boxers to continue the intensity of their drills. It's the sameness of a daily routine, made a bit easier by a few inside jokes at the gym. Recently former WBC super featherweight champion Francisco El Bandido Vargas has become part of the team and is preparing for a showdown against Englands Stephen Smith at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 9. Health Clubs & Gyms. "She'd have beat the s--- out of me," he answers while smiling. That gave Diaz a dateto get an abandoned building he owned, whichhad been damaged by a fire, ready to open to his boxing clientele. It's a stepping stone to potential greatness in the profession. So he did what his brother did, he even won a minor world title. 234: Once-in-a-Generation Mega Fight: Tank Davis vs King Ry Garcia, Cordina-Rakhimov Might Steal the Show this Saturday, Avila Perspective, Chap. That's how state Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia describes the contrasts within Coachella Valley, part of the district he represents. At its worst, a yell of desperation. Its a small venue near East L.A. and the fight was attended by numerous boxing celebrities such as James Lights Out Toney, Mauricio El Maestro Herrera and Gennady GGG Golovkin. In his rationale for calling out Cole, BWAA prexy Joseph Santoliquito leaned heavily on Thomas Hausers critique of Coles performance in The Sweet Science. No matter what obstacles get in the way, you have to find a way to get through the hard times and keep fighting to overcome those obstacles., CONGRESSMAN RAUL RUIZ AWARDS JOEL DIAZ WITH CONGRESSIONAL HONOR. He asks if he must go. It reminded me of George Foremans obliteration of Joe Frazier back in the 1970s. "The doctor says if you want to go to the hospital, they can take you," a member of the team translates for Acosta.
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