By Mark Vester
Just when Oscar De La Hoya thought he won the battle to sign unbeaten WBA lightweight champion Juan Diaz (30-0, 15 KOs), Don King is showing him how to hustle for free agent talents.
Since his departure from Main Events, Juan Diaz has become the hottest free agent on the boxing market. It was reported last week that Oscar De La Hoya had snatched Juan Diaz and added yet another champion to his Golden Boy Promotions stable, after he beat out promoter Joe DeGuardia with a much better 3 fight deal.
The San Antonio Express-News reports that the deal with De La Hoya has not been signed, and because it has not been signed yet, Don King has made his move to sign Diaz.
Don King has offered Juan Diaz a $500,000 signing bonus, and a three fight deal worth $1 million dollars more than the deal offered by Golden Boy. Diaz's manager Willie Savannahm last week told Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer that they had a done deal, but now he is not so sure.
"I'd like to keep my word," Savannah said. "But who in boxing keeps their word? Juan trusts me, so I feel some pressure to make the right decision. I need to give Richard Schaefer a call."