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That Willie Savannah, manager of Juan Diaz, even feels guilty about backing out at the last minute and essentially lying to Golden Boy Promotions before signing his fighter to Don King says an awful lot about what kind of person Savannah is. There's plenty of people in boxing that would do a lot more and feel a lot less bad about it for much less time. Oscar de la Hoya can be pissed off taht he missed out on signing a great talent in Diaz, but he did a similar thing when he made his fortune with Bob Arum at Top Rank, realized he didn't need the old man and got rid of him to form the Golden Boy Promotions of which we speak.
Diaz is only 23, and though not known as a puncher, he has all the grit that his Mexican heritage implies, good speed and an exciting, volume punching based style that has stolen the show of any card upon which he's been fortunate enough to land a TV spot.
Clearly, Golden Boy wanted him; whereas, former promoter Main Events seemed to not be able to get rid of him quick enough. Even as a champion, Main Events had Diaz fighting in obscurity, and Savannah had to stand by and watch his kid earning much less when he was worth a hell of a lot more.
Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor, Julio Diaz and a host of other potential opponents for Diaz set the lightweight division as a territory in which Diaz's next fight could be his last. With that in mind, and knowing the difficulty he's already endured, someone who cares for Diaz, such as Savannah, would obviously forsake their own principles to make sure that his fighter gets as much reward for the maximum risks he is set to take in the coming years.
The best thing about Diaz is that he went through the promotional quagmire with Main Events while he was still very young and developing into his physical self. That means that if Don King can land him the big fights, he will not have the miles or wear and tear on him that would prevent him from performing as many think he is capable.
But King is not known as a villain by most for nothing. If he lives up to his financial commitment to Diaz throughout the year that he is under contract, it will be a wonder, and no small relief for Savannah. the trail of fighters that King has burned over the years is long indeed and continues to grow. He's no stranger to litigation in such matters and has turned away opposition much stronger than a smalltown boxing gym owner such as Savannah long before today.
The smart thing was to sign Diaz to something that is no longer than a uear, because if things turn sour, Diaz's career would fall into complete ruin if he had to spend longer than that at the mercy of another petty promoter.
Diaz is only 23, and though not known as a puncher, he has all the grit that his Mexican heritage implies, good speed and an exciting, volume punching based style that has stolen the show of any card upon which he's been fortunate enough to land a TV spot.
Clearly, Golden Boy wanted him; whereas, former promoter Main Events seemed to not be able to get rid of him quick enough. Even as a champion, Main Events had Diaz fighting in obscurity, and Savannah had to stand by and watch his kid earning much less when he was worth a hell of a lot more.
Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor, Julio Diaz and a host of other potential opponents for Diaz set the lightweight division as a territory in which Diaz's next fight could be his last. With that in mind, and knowing the difficulty he's already endured, someone who cares for Diaz, such as Savannah, would obviously forsake their own principles to make sure that his fighter gets as much reward for the maximum risks he is set to take in the coming years.
The best thing about Diaz is that he went through the promotional quagmire with Main Events while he was still very young and developing into his physical self. That means that if Don King can land him the big fights, he will not have the miles or wear and tear on him that would prevent him from performing as many think he is capable.
But King is not known as a villain by most for nothing. If he lives up to his financial commitment to Diaz throughout the year that he is under contract, it will be a wonder, and no small relief for Savannah. the trail of fighters that King has burned over the years is long indeed and continues to grow. He's no stranger to litigation in such matters and has turned away opposition much stronger than a smalltown boxing gym owner such as Savannah long before today.
The smart thing was to sign Diaz to something that is no longer than a uear, because if things turn sour, Diaz's career would fall into complete ruin if he had to spend longer than that at the mercy of another petty promoter.