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By Thomas Gerbasi - If it looks like the sports pages resemble a police blotter in recent weeks (Derek Jeter’s farewell to Yankee Stadium excluded), featherweight Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. is that breath of fresh air we’ve been waiting for.
No, he’s not the pound-for-pound king, a vicious knockout artist, or a 126-pound Arturo Gatti. But in terms of being a talented kid on the rise who fights hard in the ring and is a gentleman outside of it, the 2012 United States Olympic team member from South El Monte, California could very well be what the sport needs. In fact, he may just be too nice for boxing.
“I don’t think I’m too nice for boxing,” Diaz laughs. “Boxing is a very tough sport and I know that once I’m in the ring I’m a whole different person. I’m nice outside the ring, I give the fans a great smile and stuff like that, but once I step into the ring, it’s all business and I’m a whole different person in there. I’m mean and I just want to get that win.”
You almost can’t believe him when he says he’s mean in the ring, but getting to the Olympics and running out to an 11-0 pro record proves that he’s got a little streak of mean in him. In all seriousness though, at 21, Diaz shows a maturity way beyond his years in the way he carries himself. [Click Here To Read More]
No, he’s not the pound-for-pound king, a vicious knockout artist, or a 126-pound Arturo Gatti. But in terms of being a talented kid on the rise who fights hard in the ring and is a gentleman outside of it, the 2012 United States Olympic team member from South El Monte, California could very well be what the sport needs. In fact, he may just be too nice for boxing.
“I don’t think I’m too nice for boxing,” Diaz laughs. “Boxing is a very tough sport and I know that once I’m in the ring I’m a whole different person. I’m nice outside the ring, I give the fans a great smile and stuff like that, but once I step into the ring, it’s all business and I’m a whole different person in there. I’m mean and I just want to get that win.”
You almost can’t believe him when he says he’s mean in the ring, but getting to the Olympics and running out to an 11-0 pro record proves that he’s got a little streak of mean in him. In all seriousness though, at 21, Diaz shows a maturity way beyond his years in the way he carries himself. [Click Here To Read More]