Exclusive Update as Friday Countdown Begins!
Antonio Diaz has come full circle in his boxing career that first began back in 1995 in the California desert town of Coachella.
Now the veteran boxer is closing out the show in style–and returning to fight in his own backyard of Indio. “Toño” will be lacing up one last time–uno mas–as he squares off against Ernesto “Baby” Zepeda THIS Friday, August 12 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino near Palm Springs. Their 10-round middleweight “Sólo Boxeo Tecate” battle is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Diaz was a huge draw at Fantasy Springs, so it is only fitting for the ex-champion to go out with a bang, right where the fireworks began for him.
While speaking with the camp this afternoon, all went well at the weigh-in. Antonio came in at 150 is the update I just received from Diaz team member Dominic Serna Sr. Check out his photos from the official weigh-in as the camp reveals that Latino singer Noel Torres will be performing the walkout music for Diaz’s final bout. Today’s scale action began the final countdown as the boxer winds down his career. Honoring the Palm Springs fighter, fellow boxer Randy Caballero, the Mayor of Coachella Eduardo Garcia, and “El Diablo” Torres all came out in support of the popular Indio pugilist.
Diaz (46-6-1, 29 KOs) plans on trading leather once last time while bidding a fond adieu to all his fans. I caught up with the Mexican warrior as he looked forward to his final bow as a professional prizefighter. During a break in the action, I wondered how he felt about hangin’ up the gloves after Friday night. Was he relieved, excited, anxious to move on to the next chapter in his life?
How ’bout all three of the above? Turns out he is really looking forward to his next–and very last–battle inside the ropes, but it is with mixed emotions.
“I’m just waiting for the day!” he answered with enthusiasm. “I am excited. It’s been a long career that is finally coming to an end.”
He then pauses. “It is a little sad…” he admits. “But every beginning has its end.”
“How was your final training camp?”
“Sparring was great,” the Indio fighter tells me. “There were about six guys I sparred with. I worked with several guys from this area and also L.A.”
He wants to give his fans a great show against Zepeda (39-14-4, 34 KOs), who’s battled Toño’s younger brother Julio Diaz, Mark Melligen, Matthew Hatton, Stevie Forbes, Demetrius Hopkins, among others. And their upcoming duel in the desert is the perfect setting for Diaz, who’s also a trainer and director of the boxing team at the Indio Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley. He and his brothers Joel, Julio and Jesus are well known in this region. Joel Diaz is a noted trainer of Timothy Bradley and Vicente Escobedo; Julio “The Kidd” Diaz is currently fighting and has 38 victories under his belt.
During Antonio’s own career, one highlight still stand out. “My one highlight is when I fought Shane Mosley,” Antonio shares as he looks back at his many ring wars. “Fighting Mosley–that’s one of my favorite highlights.”
Diaz’s last bout was his clash against Victor Ortiz back in December 2009. With a bad cut over his eye, Antonio was defeated within seven rounds. I wanted his thoughts on “Vicious” Victor’s chances against Floyd Mayweather in their match next month.
“I think it’s gonna be a great fight,” he assesses. “Victor has a great chance of beating Mayweather, he really does. Mayweather is a great fighter too so I say, ‘May the best man win.'”
Now with his own anticipated showdown nearing, what’s his prediction for “Baby” Zepeda?
“I am gonna win,” Diaz replies confidently. “That’s the reality. I’m gonna win!”
Antonio, a former IBA Light Welter champ, has so many fond memories of fighting at Fantasy Springs. As I chatted with the slugger, his recollections come tumbling out in bursts. “I remember my fight December 12, 1998 against Cory Spinks, July 5, 1998 (Patrick Thorns), June 16th, 2000 (Omar Weis),” Toño tells me. He continues a long list of dates and opponents that all took place through the years at the sprawling casino that beckons from the highway.
“How do you remember all the dates of your fights?” I say to the veteran who’s logged in 53 pro fights in a career that has spanned 16 years.
Antonio laughs and says he just remembers. It comes easy to him, he remarks with a shrug. Diaz, 35, also recalls many other details from back in the day when I ask him what it was like when the fights used to be outdoors at Fantasy Springs.
“Oh! It was crazy because of the weather,” the former WBO Latino Light Middleweight title holder answers with a chuckle. “It was either really, really hot–or really, really cold! I can remember they’d put blankets on me to stay warm. It would be so cold I’d see steam coming from the lights.”
“And when it was hot, they’d pour water on me. And when it was cold, they’d give me hot chocolate in the corner,” the friendly boxer jokes.
On Friday night he will be under the spotlight one last time–this time indoors–and in the state-of-the-art arena, the Special Event Center at Fantasy Springs with his brother and trainer Joel Diaz in his corner, his family and friends ringside, and his many fans in attendance.
One last hurrah.
While it may be his farewell bout, his swan song inside the squared circle, Antonio will remain closely connected to boxing and will spend even more time in the gym as a coach. The hometown hero will continue to give back to the community.
Even though he will be stepping down as a pro fighter, he will proceed full-time as a boxing trainer, never straying far from his passion. It will be a seamless transition for the devoted family man and father of two.
And the next few days will be an extremely busy and exciting time for the Team Diaz.
Now the final countdown begins with Toño’s fight tomorrow night, a special boxing fundraiser for the amateur team on Saturday evening, and a big road trip to Kansas City, Missouri for the huge Ringside World Championships for his youth boxers. Diaz will be leaving for Monday’s tournament with boxing photographer Dominic Serna Sr. and his two young champs, Dominic “Lil D” Serna Jr., Blane “El Natural” Serna and Javier “J.P.” Padilla to compete in the biggest amateur competition in the U.S.
Serna Sr. says Diaz is a great trainer and has been very supportive with all the kids. So impressed with Antonio’s job coaching their kids, Dominic and his wife Michelle even named their baby after the coach: Antonio Jovanny will turn one later this month. And this Saturday night the Serna family will be hosting a BBQ Dinner to raise funds for the boxing team’s traveling expenses to Kansas City. Toño, of course, will be in attendance, just 24 hours after his farewell battle in the ring.
It’s never easy saying goodbye to something you love.
But with Toño’s final homestand, he’s not really saying “adios” to boxing.
You will still see him in the ring.
But from this point forward, it will be in the corner with future champs of the sport he clearly loves.
“Now I’m gonna make a name for myself as a trainer, just like my brother has done,” Diaz says reflecting on his future.
“Toño, any final message for your fans?” I say as we sign off.
“Yes, I want to tell them, ‘Come support me!’ And I hope they’ve enjoyed my career,” he answers. “Thanks to everyone and thank you very much, Michele!”
Congratulations to Antonio Diaz on all your contributions to boxing–and good luck in your future achievements too.
Tickets: www.fantasyspringsresort.com
Photos by Dominic Serna Sr.
www.dominicserna.com