Juan Diaz (33-1-0, 17 KOs) lost his IBF, WBA and WBO lightweight titles in a major upset to Nate Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs) by a 12-round split decision on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Judges scorecards read 114-113, 111-116 and 112-115. The 35 year old Nate Campbell earned his title shot with Diaz by winning two IBF title eliminator bouts. A cut over Diaz's left eye caused by a punch in round six started his demise in his fight with Campbell. From that point on Campbell took more and more control of the fight.
Diaz had captured the IBF lightweight title at the Sears Centre in Chicago, Illinois on October 13, 2007 from Julio Diaz when Julio remained on his stool at the start of round nine. Julio Diaz's corner stopped the fight because he was getting hit too much. The same thing happened in Juan Diaz's fight on April 28, 2007 with Acelino Freitas who quit at the end of round eight after taking a clobbering. Now Juan Diaz who was "quitted" by promoter Don King was a free agent with one defeat and no titles. He recently signed with Golden Boy Promotions after his bout with Nate Campbell.
| Fight | Location | Date | Boxing Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diaz vs TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz
Juan Diaz was a 105-5 amateur. Being too young to compete in Sydney with the 2000 Mexican Olympic boxing team and not wanting to wait another four years he made his professional debut in Mexico on June 23, 2000 at the age of 16.
The undefeated Diaz won his first belt, the WBC Youth lightweight title in a fight against Joel Perez on November 22, 2003. Diaz went on the capture the WBA lightweight title from Mongolian Lakva Sim on July 17, 2004. Diaz still holds the title having successfully defended it six times.
Diaz's most notable title defense took place on April 8, 2006 on the undercard of Mayweather vs Judah in Las Vegas against Jose Miguel Cotto (the brother of champion boxer Miguel Angel Cotto). After twelve rounds of hard boxing Diaz won a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Jose Miguel Cotto.
Juan Diaz vs Popo Freitas
Juan Diaz unified lightweight titles in front of a sold-out crowd on April 28, 2007 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino causing Acelino "Popo" Freitas to quit after eight rounds. The first four rounds were Freitas but Diaz came on strong over the last four. Freitas didn't suffer any knockdowns but did take some punishing blows from Diaz in the 8th round. Freitas quit in the same ring in 2004 in a fight against Diego Corrales although that time he was knocked down three times before quitting in the 10th round.