By Jake Donovan
The rich history of the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico boxing rivalry will receive a more notable entry following Saturday night's PPV headliner in Las Vegas. But one night prior earlier and on the other side of the United States, a different kind of crossroads bout lies ahead.
Unlike Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito, who will fight for welterweight supremacy and still have plenty of good years ahead, the same can not be said for tonight's Telemundo headliner (Friday, 11:30PM ET, Kissimmee, FL). For Felix Flores and Antonio Diaz, it's now or never time, with both in need of a win if either is to be taken seriously even in the immediate future.
That Flores (22-6, 16KO) can enter this fight riding a two-fight losing streak yet still carry the greater upside speaks volumes of the desperation both fighters face. A former junior welterweight title challenger, Flores gives junior middleweight a try in tonight's bout, though plans to drop down to compete in a jam-packed welterweight division soon thereafter.
Born and raised in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, Flores first rose to contender status while fighting under the Don King banner. Like any good DKP soldier back in the day, Flores was able to rise to contender status without boasting a single notable win. But a strong showing on the Felix Trinidad-David Reid undercard in March 2000 put the Puerto Rican in line for a title shot against Sharmba Mitchell.
Flores fell short, dropping a decision on the September 2000 telecast, but gave a good account of himself in the fight. A 4th round knockdown confirmed his reputation as a puncher, but it was the final outcome that would prove to be more indicative of his career – falling short once stepping up.
Such was never more evident than his 1st round exit against DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley in 2001. The bout was intended to be against Ener Julio, one where Flores was favored to finally win his first title. But Julio was forced off of the show after failing his medical exam. Corley took the bout on short notice, then made short work of Flores, dropping him twice in the opening round of their Showtime-televised bout.
It's since been a rebuilding process, one which requires a lot of patience. Eight fights have been spray-painted over the past seven years, while Flores attempts to climb back into contention. He's become something of a Telemundo regular thanks to his affiliation with Florida-based promoter Felix "Tuto" Zabala Jr. and All-Star Boxing.
A pair of 2005 wins in the very same Kissimmee Civic Center that houses tonight's fight had his career on the right track, only to fall considerably short against Cosme Rivera two years ago. The loss was followed by a 14-month layoff before Flores returned to action last August. The results were once again less than desirable, dropping a lopsided decision against top welterweight contender Joshua Clottey.
Though having not fought in nearly a year, Flores is still the more active of the two fighters headlining tonight's telecast. Antonio Diaz makes his first appearance in almost three years, having stepped away from the game due to a lack of desirable opportunites.
At his best, Diaz enjoyed more success than Flores, though also known to fall short once facing the very best. More than half of Diaz' 42 wins (against 5 losses and 1 draw) came in a four-year 24 fight win streak. Included among the bunch are wins over Cory Spinks and Omar Weis on ESPN2, and far more notable victories on HBO against Ivan Robinson and Micky Ward.
The good fortunes came to an end in late 2000, when he was put in way over his head against one of the very best in the game at the time in then-unbeaten world welterweight king Shane Mosley. Diaz lost every round and was dropped three times before being stopped midway through the sixth round.
From there, his career was never quite viewed the same. A modest four-fight win streak led to one last title shot – and one more lopsided beating – when he faced Antonio Margarito in 2002 on Showtime. Diaz gave a better account of himself in this bout, but was eventually beaten into submission in the tenth round.
A subsequent draw and stoppage loss left Diaz winless for almost three years before defeating faded former titlist Alfred Kotey in his adopted hometown of Coachella, California. The win was the first of three straight, before Diaz would momentarily call it a career in 2005.
Though inactive, the game was hardly removed from his system. Antonio would often spar with his brother, former lightweight titlist Julio Diaz, while awaiting the right opportunity to come along in giving the sport one last try.
That opportunity comes tonight, when the proud Mexican soldier travels to Kissimmee to face Felix Flores. It may not carry as much zest and appeal as Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito when discussing the great Puerto Rico-Mexico rivalry. But for Felix Flores and Antonio Diaz, being discussed in the distant future isn't as important as still remaining relevant tomorrow.
Jake Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. Comments/questions can be submitted to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com
