In a couple of months, the heat will be so unbearable those who can buy their way out will. One of the more crowded gyms, Indio Boys and Girls Club, has blossomed into a powerhouse. Antonio Diaz & Indio Boxers in L.A. | MyBoxingFans - Boxing News Indio boxing gymnasium of world-renown coach Joel Diaz nearing Until last year, Joel Diaz hadnt given much thought to building his own boxing gym. Joel trains WBO champion Timothy Bradley and Timothy Bradley Sr. also helps train the amateur kids at their Indio gym. Joel wanted to become world champion, but of course, that didn't happen either. It dives into everything from growing up in Coachella to winning world titles with the fighters he trained and a few things in between. 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 . 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.. Timothy Bradley Jr., trainer Joel Diaz part ways after decade - ESPN Freitas looked out of shape coming in to the Diaz fight and that proved to be the case as he was so gassed at the end of the eighth round that he quit on his stool. Home. Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel. 1996-10-19: Phillip Holiday: 28 0 0: Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg L-UD. "We're waiting for the doctor.". The demand for labor followed. Laurence Cole is the son of Richard Dickie Cole. I appreciate what people are doing. They're kids with parents who are agricultural, construction or service workers. Maybe that would help show how much they sacrificed. In about a week from Acosta's fight, the Coachella music festival will start. boxing gym for the good words. Last May, Bivol beat Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, a boxer many considered the best in the world. Box-am Box-pro . His neighbor owns Indian Wells Glass and Mirror and provided mirrors for the gym. Across the street from that mural, there's an old fire station on the corner of 6th Street and Vine Avenue. He built his camp from the ground up, starting with a twice-burned-down building he bought ten years ago for $230,000 dollars. Joel Diaz fought for the IBF world title against South Africas Phillip Holiday in 1996 and lost by decision. 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. Dedication was never a problem for Joel. Diaz teamed up with Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) late in October 2019 but due to . Indio's Diaz Brothers Have Built a Fight Club on the Coachella Desert Diaz, the eldest brother in a boxing family that produced two world champions in brothers Antonio and Julio, worked out of the Indio Boys & Girls Club for close to 18 years. 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. The gym is located in California's Coachella Valley, in the desert town of Indio, roughly 120 miles away from Los Angeles. . Too fought too, even though he wanted to go to college, but that wasn't financially possible. He would fight one more time before retiring as a fighter and continuing as a trainer. So this former champ moved it out to the desert, Riverside County reports 3,901 additional coronavirus cases, 53 new deaths Wednesday, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. He was just 23 years old when boxing took it from him. Acosta laughs along. Nothing escapes Joel Diaz who occasionally glances around the gym and notices Diego De La Hoya, the younger cousin of boxing great Oscar De La Hoya. To them this was a Mega-Fight; this was BIG. On the western side, it's greener and bluer because of the golf courses, pools and artificial lakes. Barrios turned professional in 1996 and went 14-0 before a DQ loss after which he went 25-0-1 with 1 no decision. The goal for many was always to work here, for a season or two, maybe longer, then return. Back to the chaos of the boxing gym where the hungry people fight. I would sit at that table and eat, drink, write and sleep, Diaz said. Phone: (760) 424-8888. During his post-fighting years, Diaz worked as a bodyguard for the type of men Chalino wrote songs about. 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. His opponent hung on for dear life. Work! But at the end of round seven he was a thoroughly beaten fighter.. He was hurt, and at this point it looked like it might be over. "Those types of values and principles are instilled in the kids many times. At the screening, coach Diaz was enjoying the moment with his friends and family. He's wrapping hands and tying gloves. From an administrative standpoint, boxing in Texas during the reign of Dickie Cole was frequently described in terms befitting a banana republic. He found his purpose in a strange world where he didn't even speak the language. The list goes on. Whatever sense of peace they find, it comes from knowing they've done all they can to prepare. "You'll see." When the anger got too much, he'd drive to the mountains, as if trying to find answers. "One minute!" But I was like, Wait, I have a building. "Honestly, it makes me happy because at one point, you know, life is short. "The f---ing check bounced," Joel still remembers. His voice rises above the rhythmic sounds of speed bags thumping, above the jump rope slapping the floor, above the grunts of those who sound as if they're fighting for their lives. event bout wiki. When Tim Desert Storm Bradley arrived as a pro in 2004 he had been passed over by various promotion companies who felt he was too small to fight at the super welterweight class he had participated in as an amateur. That night the cruiserweight southpaw Usyk bored audiences with his slap happy style until lowering the boom on South Africas Thabiso Mchunu in round nine at the Inglewood Forum. While wrapping his hands, Oscar Gracia, who helps train fighters at Diaz's gym, accidentally cut Angel "Tito" Acosta, their boxer on the main event. The first time I ever saw Russias 24-year-old Gassiev was three years ago when he made his American debut at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello. He tells a boxer what he wants by showing it with his own body, moving his legs as if he's evading punches. The last time Pacquiao knocked out a welterweight was in 2009 against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Photos: Indio boxing gym of world-renown trainer Joel Diaz nearing He admitted to being in the middle of a whirlwind that is spinning beyond his expectations. Everyone here has. The pain of losing a child during pregnancy. "It's a small, surface level cut.". A lot of people want to help, Diaz said. Just about everything planted here came to life: watermelon, grapefruits, dates, squash, radish and cabbage, to name a few. Joel Diaz "I told him when he came to the gym [last week], 'The problem is not you. This win made Daz the number one rated contender and mandatory to then WBC lightweight champion, Stevie Johnston. But thats boxing. Until then the Diaz boys had been raised by their grandparents. They've sacrificed for all of this. The two met in 2018, at a boxing convention in Panama. As he explains it now, a few months after that experience, Joel walked into the boxing gym in downtown Coachella. But he likes it. thesweetscience.com All rights reserved. Professional boxing trainer Joel Diaz has recently opened his boxing gym in Indio, Calif., on July 23, 2021. "No, it's OK," Gracia says, trying to keep the doctor away. Looking for something to do in a desert where it's easy to get lost. Laurence Cole (pictured alongside his father) was singled out for his behavior as the third man in the ring for the fight between Regis Prograis and Juan Jose Velasco at the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans on July 14. Im about helping the community, Diaz said. The gym is clattering with noise from the various boxers working in the different stations. Hes almost there, said Joel Diaz. A lot of the boxers are just like me.". Hes just waiting for his time.. Whether he makes it into the Hall will depend on how much a No Mas can count against one, but he warrants serious consideration when he becomes eligible. 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. Too says at that point, in his early teens, he just wasn't dedicated enough. Inside the Special Events Center's dressing room, in the Fantasy Springs Casino Resort, a boxer is bleeding. In the summer the heat hits like a smack in the face yet it doesnt stop the various gyms from filling up with eager wanna-be fighters. 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. 11/10/2019 In the second fight on the card, another one of his fighters, Grant Flores Jr., is warming up for his second career fight by stretching and jumping around. To sacrifice, doing backbreaking work, while being apart from the ones they loved. As a pro Diaz brought him down to lightweight. And, like Manny, he did and he also pursued a career in politics. When Im not here, thats gonna be a legacy that is gonna stay behind because its the story of my life. "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. And right now, Diaz is sitting behind the ring's red corner, giving instructions to Leonardo Sanchez, a young southpaw, also from the Coachella Valley, who everyone calls Bazooka. Even the transients who I asked to leave, when they see me, they ask, Hey Coach, hows the gym coming along?. Find him on Twitter: @Andrew_L_John. Hes home. It's his father's birthday; the victory is part of his gifts. Later, Freitas tarnished his image with a No Mas against Diego Corrales, but he had gone down three times and knew there was no way out. He simply moves, resets and continues yelling. Watch Mercito Gesta vs Joel Diaz Jr. Live Stream Fight on - Now Boxing To be fair, Bennett has seen many fighters in the past with undefeated records who were not up to challenges, especially against the likes of Golovkin. It became a case of brawler vs. boxer/puncher and when the brawler caught the more athletic Popowho could slip and duck skillfullyand decked him with a straight left in the eighth, the title suddenly was up for grabs. where the gym will be located. Mexican migration increased. I was a little upset when they told us we had to leave the Boys & Girls Club. Theres so many memories at the Boys & Girls Club, and I hope were all still a part of their annual things because I think what they do is great, Swanson said. Diaz comes from the Palmdale, California area and will be the hometown favorite over the Filipino Mercito Gesta who is based out of San Diego, California. Suite G. Indio, CA 92201. His manager asked me what I thought of his last fight and we agreed, said Diaz of Vargas. Joel Diaz worked for a while with Lee Espinoza at the Coachella Boxing Club before opening up his own gym. Despite having diminished vision, he sees everything, his single functioning eye darting in every direction. a voice among the many in the dressing room yells. The building boasts 10-foot ceilings and the design for the space is expansive. "People come to this country for a better opportunity and a better life for their kids and their family, and they're fighting every step of the way to make that happen," Garcia says. Theyve built relationships with several youth boxers whose dads are either plumbers, painters or work with concrete and have offered their services. 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. What time is the Joel Diaz Jr vs. Mercito Gesta fight tonight No loss is good, but Diaz says he's learned from it. It's been almost 40 minutes since the sun set on Coachella Valley, and now it's Acosta's turn to fight. In boxing and in life, it is always better to give than to receive. While the Coachella Valley is a perfect winter escape for those with money, it's also home to some of the country's most fertile lands. A couple of significant fights took place last weekend, but Manny Pacquiaos knockout win over Lucas Matthysse for the WBO welterweight world title heads the list. Palm Springs Desert Sun Subscription Discount | Subscriber Services, Olympics more important than major titles for some women golfers, Strong and silly, Sarah Robles of Desert Hot Springs, is off to Tokyo, hoping to lift her way to another medal, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. "They're putting all their ideas together and creating their dream gym.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 Entravision All rights reserved. But most promotion companies were not interested. When asked how he felt about Nevadas denying him an attempt to fight Golovkin, a wide grin appeared on the Mexican youngster. 232: Fundora Mendoza and More on a Deep Saturday of Boxing, Why Tapales vs Akhmadaliev Promises Fireworks This Saturday, Tank Davis Stops Ryan Garcia with a Near-Invisible but Lethal Body Shot, Literary Notes: Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century, Brian Mendoza KOs Sebastian Fundora in a Shocker. Golden Boy Promotions, which has a business relationship with the Diaz brothers and many of the boxers who train with them, has offered help as well. But Cole insisted that the match continue and then, after another knockdown that he ruled a slip, let it continue for another 35 seconds before Velascos corner mercifully threw in the towel. Antonio Diaz, the younger brother of Joel, works well with the fighters and their combined knowledge gives them insight not often found in many gyms. he yells at a Mexican boxer, imploring him to attack. He's looking at a boxer's pinkie to see how badly it's hurt. Riverside Tamale Fest to Feature Food Competition, Music, Dancing, Felon Convicted of Killing Girlfriend, Fleeing to Vegas with Young Son, Blaze Damages Abandoned Restaurant near Jurupa Valley Animal Shelter, Man Caught with Cache of Super Toxic Illegal Drugs Sentenced, Blaze in Santa Ana River Bottom Quickly Stopped, Felon Suspected in Altercation Outside Motel in Rancho Mirage to Stand Trial, Two Injured When Car Crashes into MoVal Residence, UPDATED: Charges Filed Against Man Suspected in Sexually Motivated Messages with Teen. Not all prizefighters can adapt to the remoteness and solitude and end up moving on to urban locations like Jessie Magdaleno did recently. Joel Diaz Jr. gets boxing bug again - The Desert Sun 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. Boxing Home Schedule Champions Divisional Rankings P4P Historic Bouts Tickets He was fan-friendly and idolized in Brazil. 445 East Florida Ave. 2nd Floor. "Cordova was a tough opponent," Acosta says. We dont treat her any differently than we do the men, said Joel Diaz. 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.. Monday Morning Cornermen (Nov. 6 edition), The Hauser Report: Wilder-Stiverne and More from Barclays Center, In an unprecedented development, the Boxing Writers Association of America has started a watch list to lift the curtain on ring officials who have screwed up. Veteran Texas referee Laurence Cole and Nebraska judges Mike Contreras and Jeff Sinnett have the unwelcome distinction of being the first honorees., Boxing is a sport where judges and referees are rarely held accountable for poor performances that unfairly change the course of a fighters career and, in some instances, endanger lives, says the BWAA in a preamble to the new feature. 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. It hangs near the old newspapers next to photos of some of the fighters who have visited the gym. Because of the two dozen elite fighters working in the Indio gym, it always seems to be prepping for an upcoming fight card. But I can finally sleep comfortably now.. Too knew about the problem because he'd been Joel's sparring partner and saw how his brother couldn't see the left hook. When he got up, he had no idea where he was but his corner worked furiously to get him ready for the final round. There will, of course, be speed and heavy punching bags, treadmills, weight machines and free weights along withan area with a padded floor designated for wrestling, martial arts and other activities. Like Manny Pacquiao, Freitas had a difficult childhood but was determined to make a better life for himself and his family. Joel Daz - Wikipedia Back in April when middleweight titan Gennady GGG Golovkin was seeking an opponent to replace Saul Canelo Alvarez who was facing suspension for performance enhancement drug use, it was the 21-year-old from Tijuana who volunteered his services for a May 5th date in Las Vegas. At its best, it's a low frequency hum. He won. What happens when a boxer kills his opponent? It's now a restaurant. "His speed, his power and his footwork!" they say. Joel Diaz helping put Indio front - Indio Senior Center | Facebook After a 12 months constructing his personal boxing gymnasium in Indio, doing a lot of the work by himself, coach Joel Diaz is near opening it to the neighborhood. Three years ago Diego De La Hoya, Jamie Kavanagh, Manuel Mendez and brothers Jessie and Diego Magdaleno arrived. "WE STARTED WITH THIS," says trainer Librado "Lee" Espinoza, pointing at a yellowed newspaper article taped to the wall of his gym. This energy, this level of commitment, is also one of the things that draws fighters to Indio. He returns to the dressing room that not even an hour before had been so full of excitement. IBA upset by 'rogue' boxing group as U.S. quits, Sources: Anderson-Kossobutskiy to meet July 1. 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. "I'm your dad. : Thank you head trainer Joel Diaz of the Indio, Ca. Joel Diaz Boxing Academy, Monroe St, Indio, CA, Health Clubs & Gyms On top of supporting his longtime friend, Congressman Ruiz awarded Coach Diaz a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for all the work he has done providing underprivileged kids in the valley with an outlet like boxing. Until then, hes going to enjoy living his dream in the space that he created. 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. Controversy has dogged Laurence Cole for well over a decade. They would be his only defeats in 43 pro bouts. See a problem? 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. "No, you don't have to go," the man tells him, "Only if you want to." With nothing else to do, Diaz stops singing and helps Flores warm up. Diaz, the eldest brother in a boxing family that produced two world champions in brothers. "Let me go grab my gun," he says, "I'll shoot that thing off.". "When I got here, I started sparring with men," she says. "But he kept hitting me behind the head.". JoJo Diaz's boxing approach altered by becoming a dad - The Desert Sun Raise your punches a little higher.. With pipes, tire irons and brass knuckles, Teamsters tried to intimidate the United Farm Workers out of contracts with growers. "Vamos Tito!" 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. Diaz most notably trained Timothy Bradley Jr, a five-time world champion, and with Antonio as his trainer partner has helped guide others to titles in more recent years before they wereforced out of the Boys & Girls Club last year when it shut down to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. As a World Class Trainer, I know by now what it takes to not only be a World Champion, but to be one of the Greats in the sport of Boxing. It's like a light switch flipped. He put away every trophy, plaque and medal he earned. From all the rage he'd pass out in his car during the middle of night. The thermostat says the gym is 75 degrees, but it feels hotter. "One day, I'll make money," he told her. Otherwise any future fights for the Philippine great will not be forthcoming. He trains about 20 professional boxers, and with three of them fighting the next day, tomorrow will be busy. It was Mosleys first defense after taking the title from Oscar De La Hoya and was held in New York City. The Brazilian boxing hero retired in 2007, but came back in 2012 and schooled and KOd the cocky Michael The Brazilian Rocky Oliveira. Ive seen my dad train fighters my whole life, Joel Diaz Jr. said, but I havent seen that happiness, that comfort, that peace, that look in his eyes until now. After10 years, its now paid off, Diaz said. If things go well for some of these boxers, maybe they'll fight as the main event in those places. Now all I have to do is make it shine. We knew that he came like from nothing, no connections, no money, and then after that he had troubles and it wasnt like easy at all for him, says Jorge Newman. "Was a bad area.". 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. Im excited to give this building life, Diaz added. HBO will televise. INDIO - When Joel Diaz Jr., returns to the ring for the first time in seven years, he said he hopes to have his world-class trainer and father in his corner at the Desert Showdown, which. You will not want to miss this class. Ukraines Usyk, 31, made his American debut in late 2016 on a Golden Boy Promotions card that staged boxing great Bernard Hopkins final prizefight. The inference was that Marquez was free to quit right then without tarnishing his record. They've been married for two years, splitting their time between Mexico, where she's from, and Puerto Rico, where he's from. 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. "Mr. Diaz," the doctor said, "you can't fight anymore." Popo had grown old. He and Gracia have known each other for nearly 40 years. Joel Diaz Boxing | Indio CA - Facebook As soon as the doctor says all's well, everyone's able to joke. Joel and Antonio began telling people about the project and many began offering to help for free. A member of Ring 10, and Ring 4s Boxing Hall of Fame, he was recently cited by Hannibal Boxing as one of three Must-Read boxing writers. The boxer, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist from Uzbekistan named Bektemir Melikuziev -- everyone calls him Bek The Bully -- nods. He doesn't go. "Nobody pushed me, I pushed myself," he says, remembering how he'd wake up to run hours before school. Coles performance, said Matt McGrain, was astonishingly bad, an opinion echoed by many other boxing writers. Right now we have Maricela Cornejo and Vergil Ortiz getting ready to fight in Cancun, Mexico on Nov. 16.. Since then he had not stopped an opponent. But that would just a short-term solution and Diaz had until July 1 to move into a new facility. He's still in the ring, talking into a microphone, saying he wants to fight for a world championship next. When I'm not here, that's gonna be a legacy that is gonna stay behind because it's the story of my life. On Mercito Gesta/Joel Diaz Jr. undercard, Coachella boxer puts on show People like 2020 Olympic gold medal winner Bakhodir Jalolov and former welterweight champion (and soon to be Hall of Famer) Timothy Bradley Jr., to name a few. The place looked so brittle, everyone worried that if an earthquake hit, it all would collapse. DAZN will show Joel Diaz Jr. vs Mercito Gesta tonight exclusively around the world.. Boxing Pro 21 bouts date w-l-d last 6 result; 1997-04-26: Jose Luis Montes: 9 17 0: Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio W-TKO. Golden Boy chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya announced the fight, saying: "It has been Golden Boy's home in the Coachella Valley, and we are excited to bring a DAZN fight night that they will enjoy for the first . In January 2010 he was involved in a hit and runaccident in which a 20-year-old pregnant woman was killed. They'll run their daily miles and their feet will feel as if they're on fire. When the announcer reads the judges' scores, the crowd boos. Word was spreading that there was something going on in that desert gym in Indio that was making champions. Team Diaz is a big part of the Coachella Valley boxing community. Now we have water, we have power. Diaz surrenders to New Orleans police after brawl, Paul launches series for up-and-coming boxers, Ramirez to defend WBO title vs. Shimizu in July. The fourth brother in the Daz dynasty, Jesus,. He couldn't risk losing the money or the opportunity, so he waited until after the fight. And because boxing is everywhere here, he still follows it, especially when there are ties to this place. Then came the coronavirus, forcing one of boxing's most respected trainers to put a plan into action. One entire section was filled by Russian supporters and Gassiev did not disappoint in winning by stoppage that night. Car share apps charge $40 for a two-minute ride to the festival grounds. EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK: Joel Diaz: A Hard Knock-Life Documentary by Newman Studios. Other talents have learned from Joel's assertive style of fighting. The day after Diaz is gone, Mucio and Acosta will leave too. Health Clubs & Gyms. Maybe it was the cheat meal from a few weeks ago. Whenever there was a big fight in the Lone Star State, his son was the favorite to draw the coveted refereeing assignment.
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