He admitted to being in the middle of a whirlwind that is spinning beyond his expectations. Hes almost there, said Joel Diaz. Diaz, the eldest brother in a boxing family that produced two world champions in brothers. Flores wins his fight in the first minute. But those that remain like the focus on boxing and the solitude. A furniture store occupied the space for a time, but it went out of business and the area has in recent years become known for drugs, prostitution and homelessness. Andrew John is a reporterfor The Desert Sun and the USA TODAY Network. Since he speaks little English, around the gym he's congratulated on the opportunity to avenge the sole loss of his career. It's Friday and that means it's sparring day for his pros. He put away every trophy, plaque and medal he earned. 232: Fundora Mendoza and More on a Deep Saturday of Boxing, Why Tapales vs Akhmadaliev Promises Fireworks This Saturday, Tank Davis Stops Ryan Garcia with a Near-Invisible but Lethal Body Shot, Literary Notes: Last on His Feet: Jack Johnson and the Battle of the Century, Brian Mendoza KOs Sebastian Fundora in a Shocker. Hes poured his blood sweat and tears, he says, into the project knowing that he was on a deadline. Thats what Im doing.. Freitas looked out of shape coming in to the Diaz fight and that proved to be the case as he was so gassed at the end of the eighth round that he quit on his stool. He's talking about where his gym is, on the eastern side of the Coachella Valley. Theres nothing to do but focus on boxing, said Ortiz Sr. whose family is based in Dallas, Texas. Its slowly made the transition from training strictly local boxers to international mega stars in this past decade. Boxing is a sideline for Laurence Cole who runs an independent insurance agency in Dallas. They all stand behind the heavy black curtain separating the dressing rooms from the ring. Another donated an ice machine. After seeing those fields, the man drove them home where the Diaz brothers met their mother, sister and another brother. One of those guys is Bek The Bully, who'll rematch against Gabe Rosado on April 22. This is where the Diaz brothers learned to fight. But on the other hand, how can an official involved in prizefighting deny any fighter the right to make a million dollar payday if both parties are willing? Also planned is an area for boxing memorabilia from the history of the Coachella Valley and the boxers whove trained and lived here. The small Palm Springs Airport will get so crowded it'll be difficult to walk through. As the fists and shoulders of fighters brush by him, it looks as if their violence might spill over. He's on the main ring, next to the banner with his logo on it, a gamecock wearing boxing gloves, circled by the gym's name: Joel Diaz Training Camp. It's one of the desert's last major tourist events before the population plummets in the summer. And though the festival is on the east side, about four miles from Joel's gym, most of the tourists will stay on the west side of Coachella Valley. Too fought too, even though he wanted to go to college, but that wasn't financially possible. "I accidentally cut Tito," Gracia tells him as Diaz hands over the small dark bottle with a yellow label. Hell then head to Swansons gym for the day and go back to his facility about two miles down the road for a few more hours before heading home. Everyone here has. He's showing fighters how to pivot their feet to maximize their leverage. It's this story of survival that explains why people in Coachella Valley's east side are drawn to him. But he likes it. Until he finds out Acosta's bleeding. While hes had some help, Diaz has done the majority of the work himself. "They come from nothing," Diaz says. You will not want to miss this class. We dont treat her any differently than we do the men, said Joel Diaz. We are excited and honored to have coach Joel Diaz join us to teach a boxing class next Wednesday November 20th at 6pm at KBX Fitness Indio. Though Joel's brother, Antonio, remains employed by the Indio Boys & Girls Club and works with about 20 kids now that the facility has re-opened, an era of professional boxing at the club came to a close whereboxing history runs deep. He couldn't risk losing the money or the opportunity, so he waited until after the fight. Health Clubs & Gyms. The small cut on his right palm has long ago stopped bleeding, but that's the last thing on anyone's mind. The film not only showcases coach Diazs accomplishments as a professional boxer and trainer but also his fight to build a life for himself and his family. The documentary is titled Joel Diaz: A Hard Knock-Life and was directed by Jorge Newman and Eduardo Salazar of Newman Studios. We knew that he came like from nothing, no connections, no money, and then after that he had troubles and it wasnt like easy at all for him, says Jorge Newman. He's sitting in a foldable metallic chair, getting his post-fight medical examination. When he got up, he had no idea where he was but his corner worked furiously to get him ready for the final round. On top of supporting his longtime friend, Congressman Ruiz awarded Coach Diaz a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for all the work he has done providing underprivileged kids in the valley with an outlet like boxing. Decades ago, when this part of Coachella, the city -- right next to Indio -- looked abandoned, the building housed a crumbling boxing gym. It's been almost 40 minutes since the sun set on Coachella Valley, and now it's Acosta's turn to fight. Joel trains WBO champion Timothy Bradley and Timothy Bradley Sr. also helps train the amateur kids at their Indio gym. "The Diaz brothers know what it takes to have a wonderful gym," said Brandun Lee, an unbeaten super lightweight (22-0) contender who has trained at the building. thesweetscience.com All rights reserved. When asked how he felt about Nevadas denying him an attempt to fight Golovkin, a wide grin appeared on the Mexican youngster. "They'll spend weeks and months here and a lot of money, which is good for our economy and our communities. Everything that was originally in the building was taken out to the trash except for a table and chair that he kept as a reminder. Thats life.. Diaz believes this building will be the cherry on top of a great career in boxing. Find him on Twitter: @Andrew_L_John. Even the transients who I asked to leave, when they see me, they ask, Hey Coach, hows the gym coming along?. Directions Advertisement. With the boys gathered around me, I want to find out what they admire most about their trainer and pro fighter. But when it's time to fight, they train in Diaz's gym, in part because his strong personality reminds them of Mucio's father. Joel worked in construction for years before he became a trainer, and they have a contractor who has helped. With this loss, that now becomes more difficult. The pandemic shut down his boxing club. His job was irrigation. The facility also has locker rooms and restrooms for men and womenand willeventually include saunas, a laundry room and massive office space. Complaints of ineptitude, says the WBAA, will be evaluated by a rotating committee of select BWAA members and respected boxing experts. In subsequent years, says the press release, the watch list will be published quarterly in the months of April, August, and December (must be the new math). Social media influencers will be there too, charging thousands of dollars for a single post. Until then the Diaz boys had been raised by their grandparents. After10 years, its now paid off, Diaz said. Powered by IBofP 2021 Once a highly touted prospect he states his biggest loss was to Regis Prograis in 2017 when he fought the soon to be light welterweight world champion and was stopped in the second round. He found his purpose in a strange world where he didn't even speak the language. Shows. But Im really excited for (Joel and Antonio) to get their own place and to do it the way they want to do it. His neighbor owns Indian Wells Glass and Mirror and provided mirrors for the gym. Photos: Boxing trainer Joel Daz to open new gym in Indio Skip to main content The Coachella Valley has long been an area where the center inflatable garden slide of activity is Palm Springs. He'sexcited about it, and I'm happy for him.". The Brazilian boxing hero retired in 2007, but came back in 2012 and schooled and KOd the cocky Michael The Brazilian Rocky Oliveira. Watch. The uncertainty of changing trainers that far into their careers. One to keep track of rounds. The area has some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. Because of the two dozen elite fighters working in the Indio gym, it always seems to be prepping for an upcoming fight card. Antonio Diaz, the younger brother of Joel, works well with the fighters and their combined knowledge gives them insight not often found in many gyms. he sings. Ted Sares is one of the oldest active full power lifters in the world. "Those types of values and principles are instilled in the kids many times. Not all prizefighters can adapt to the remoteness and solitude and end up moving on to urban locations like Jessie Magdaleno did recently. He was the first and only inductee into the inaugural class of the Texas Boxing Hall of Fame, an organization founded by El Paso promoter Lester Bedford in 2015. And, like Manny, he did and he also pursued a career in politics. At its best, it's a low frequency hum. She has to do the same work as the guys. Luckily, a new smaller promotion company had just started in the Inland Empire called Thompson Boxing Promotions. So, this is my land, my property. Diaz, 48, said he plans to open the gym up to the community for a grand opening in September. World champions and contenders fight along with boxers early in their careers, risking it all for a shot at their dreams. A well-known figure in the Coachella Valley, many have approached Diaz and asked how they can help. Fighters who, for a variety of reasons, reached their level here, among the desert's drab colors, instead of the bright lights of places like Los Angeles, Las Vegas and New York. Work!" ET. Advertisement. Two months ago Munguia put on a frightening display of raw power in knocking down then WBO super welterweight titlist Sadam Ali numerous times in front of New York fans. Despite having diminished vision, he sees everything, his single functioning eye darting in every direction. Until then, hes going to enjoy living his dream in the space that he created. With his right eye gone, so too went his dreams. Sincetheir typically rigorous training schedule has been a little slower over the last year because of how the pandemic has reduced the number of fights in the sport, the Diaz brothers have had time to spend preparing the new gym, doing much of the work themselves. The first time I ever saw Russias 24-year-old Gassiev was three years ago when he made his American debut at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello. Bradley was groomed by the Diaz brothers into a professional style that was pleasing to boxing fans in the Southern California area. 234: Once-in-a-Generation Mega Fight: Tank Davis vs King Ry Garcia, Cordina-Rakhimov Might Steal the Show this Saturday, Avila Perspective, Chap. Recently former WBC super featherweight champion Francisco El Bandido Vargas has become part of the team and is preparing for a showdown against Englands Stephen Smith at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 9. These are the fights away from the bright side of boxing; the big events with big money that attracts people from all over the country. He built his camp from the ground up, starting with a twice-burned-down building he bought ten years ago for $230,000 dollars. More: The pandemic shut down his boxing club. "This is all I know how to do.". Were going to do that with this gym.. But most promotion companies were not interested. The place looked so brittle, everyone worried that if an earthquake hit, it all would collapse. Maybe a thousand other things and it would've been different. So this former champ moved it out to the desert, More: Riverside County reports 3,901 additional coronavirus cases, 53 new deaths Wednesday. He stands, sometimes with his hands on the top rope and other times holding them behind his back. Work! We dont have any women for her to spar so she spars with the men.. How Indio Boxing Trainer Joel Diaz Helped Dmitry Bivol Secure Victory over Canelo Alvarez. Gracia just raises his eyebrows and gives the slight shrug of "I don't know.". A post shared by Jorge Newman (@jorgenewman13). He went on to claim the WBO world lightweight title with a split decision over Zahir Raheem, but that fight was a snoozefest and he lost the title in his first defense against Juan Baby Bull Diaz. "It hasn't stopped bleeding," Ervin adds. He doesn't go. "The gallo is the bravest animal in the world," Diaz answers when I ask him why the gamecock is in the middle of his gym's logo. What happens when a boxer kills his opponent? Diaz is back in the dressing room and back to joking with Gracia. In January 2010 he was involved in a hit and runaccident in which a 20-year-old pregnant woman was killed. 1996-10-19: Phillip Holiday: 28 0 0: Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg L-UD. He'd just gotten paid $20,000, the most he ever made boxing. Coles performance, said Matt McGrain, was astonishingly bad, an opinion echoed by many other boxing writers. Back then, to raise funds for travel, Lee sold raffle tickets where the prizes were pigs and cows and TVs. They'll come and leave along with the part-time residents that make this place their part-time home. Maybe that would help show how much they sacrificed. Acosta walks down the hall, surrounded by about a dozen people. More: Olympics more important than major titles for some women golfers, More: Strong and silly, Sarah Robles of Desert Hot Springs, is off to Tokyo, hoping to lift her way to another medal. Joel's retina was almost entirely detached. Neither fighter looked good in their fight in Malaysia but when Pacquiao floored Matthysse several times during the fight, it raised some red flags. he screams inside the 6,995-square-foot gym. The gym is located in California's. On Saturday, June 18th, NBC Palm Springs had an exclusive first look at a documentary on the life of local boxing trainer, Joel Diaz. His manager asked me what I thought of his last fight and we agreed, said Diaz of Vargas. His chief second bullied him into coming out for another round. But not before a full day of training. Joel will often arrive at the building in the early morning hours and work on the space. I've been here so long, and I sent these guys to pick you up.". They would be his only defeats in 43 pro bouts. In the second fight on the card, another one of his fighters, Grant Flores Jr., is warming up for his second career fight by stretching and jumping around. But Diaz said he couldnt be more excited about eventually having a training facility of his own, after 18 years of training boxers, including several world champions, at the Indio Boys & Girls Club. Hes put in so much work on that place, said Diazs adult son, Joel Diaz Jr. Now, when hes in that building, you can tell that hes at home. More than anything, he looks relieved. As a World Class Trainer, I know by now what it takes to not only be a World Champion, but to be one of the Greats in the sport of Boxing. Migrant workers come each year to the desert region to pick crops: primarily dates, grapes, peppers, and citrus fruits in the area. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 Entravision All rights reserved. Monday Morning Cornermen (Nov. 6 edition), The Hauser Report: Wilder-Stiverne and More from Barclays Center, In an unprecedented development, the Boxing Writers Association of America has started a watch list to lift the curtain on ring officials who have screwed up. Veteran Texas referee Laurence Cole and Nebraska judges Mike Contreras and Jeff Sinnett have the unwelcome distinction of being the first honorees., Boxing is a sport where judges and referees are rarely held accountable for poor performances that unfairly change the course of a fighters career and, in some instances, endanger lives, says the BWAA in a preamble to the new feature. Palm Springs Desert Sun Subscription Discount | Subscriber Services, Olympics more important than major titles for some women golfers, Strong and silly, Sarah Robles of Desert Hot Springs, is off to Tokyo, hoping to lift her way to another medal, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. In this age of PEDs there was no mention of testing for the Pacquiao/Matthysse fight. He lost his first four amateur fights. When Tim Desert Storm Bradley arrived as a pro in 2004 he had been passed over by various promotion companies who felt he was too small to fight at the super welterweight class he had participated in as an amateur. Hes so happy.. Located about 128 miles east of Los Angeles and 95 miles north of the Mexican border, the Indio Boys and Girls club gym is roughly in the middle of nowhere unless you like golf. It was Mosleys first defense after taking the title from Oscar De La Hoya and was held in New York City. "People are attracted to, and come here," Garcia continues. But that would just a short-term solution and Diaz had until July 1 to move into a new facility. Order Online. Diaz doesn't know of the tension in the dressing room shared by three of his boxers on the Thursday night card. ref: Rudy Battle Alfred Buqwana 110 . They then cleared out five trailers full of junk and reframed the space, secured the roof and began bringing new material. Although Mattice vs. Hamazaryan was a supporting bout, it aired live on ShoBox. Dedication was never a problem for Joel. During his post-fighting years, Diaz worked as a bodyguard for the type of men Chalino wrote songs about. There also will be an area for weight machines and a space at the front desk to purchase merchandiseof the world-famous boxers who train at the gym, including unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon MJ Akhmadaliev, Olympic welterweight silver medalist Shakhram Giyasov, Olympic flyweight gold medalist Hasanboy Dusmatov and Olympic middleweight silver medalist Bektemir Melikuziev. Eduardo Salazar hopes that those who watch this documentary are inspired to better their lives, even when times are tough, just like Joel Diaz has done. 11/10/2019 Coles agency is purportedly in the top two nationally in writing these policies. Around the turn of the 20th century, the Colorado River was diverted, and water flowed into what was barren desert. Diaz said that he's rarely seen a boxer who works as hard as Flores, who is as dedicated to the gym and to the sport. Suite G. Indio, CA 92201. Indio boxing trainer Joel Diaz is 2-0 last week after Tito Acosta's first-round knockout win over Janiel Rivera & Dmitry Bivol Retains WBA light heavyweight title against Canelo Alvarez. After eight months of work, the building remains a work in progress. Wherever it is, they'll rest and enjoy the things they've denied themselves for months. On Saturday, June 18th, NBC Palm Springs had an exclusive first look at a documentary on the life of local boxing trainer, Joel Diaz. The bout was televised live on ESPN. How good will the promotion be? I know you from the heart. He trusts him with his gym and with his boxers' lives. "People come to this country for a better opportunity and a better life for their kids and their family, and they're fighting every step of the way to make that happen," Garcia says. And yet, the professionals, who aren't from here, will return because, despite the heat, they come to train with Diaz. In two rings beside each other, there are two fights going on at the same time. INDIO, Calif.-Deep in the Coachella desert tiny scorpions come out at night so its best not to walk in sandals. Email him at andrew.john@desertsun.com. Joel wanted to become world champion, but of course, that didn't happen either. When the anger got too much, he'd drive to the mountains, as if trying to find answers. Another offered to pay for all the new matting going on top of the concrete floors. Professional boxing trainer Joel Diaz has recently opened his boxing gym in Indio, Calif., on July 23, 2021. And it sometimes translates to the actual, literal fight that is presented to us when we grow up in places like Coachella.". Reminders of that past are everywhere on the valley's east side, in schools and parks named after Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. Bradley won world titles as a super lightweight and welterweight and ultimately became one of the best pound-for-pound prizefighters in the world. He returns to the dressing room that not even an hour before had been so full of excitement. Even the fancy gas stations get their share of the dangerous little creatures. I appreciate what people are doing. That's where Diaz and his brother Antonio (or Too, as he's commonly called) trained. A member of Ring 10, and Ring 4s Boxing Hall of Fame, he was recently cited by Hannibal Boxing as one of three Must-Read boxing writers. "This is where I work," the father told his sons. Indio District Office. When he was active as a fighter Antonio captured the IBA world welterweight title and fought many of the best fighters in the world including Sugar Shane Mosley for the WBC welterweight world title in November 2000. "Let me go grab my gun," he says, "I'll shoot that thing off.". See a problem? Its isolation eliminates distractions. "Vamos Tito!" "Put him in the oven and slowly cook him, and when he's done, take him out.". Joel Diaz regularly shouts booming instructions to fighters across the lengthy gym. Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel. Across the street from that mural, there's an old fire station on the corner of 6th Street and Vine Avenue. As soon as the doctor says all's well, everyone's able to joke. Antonio Diaz plans to continue working with kids and says one day he may bring professionals back tothe club, even after his brother moves to the new facility. Wondering why he'd need the bottle of adrenaline now, Diaz answers with a confused look. Diaz shouts between sneaking looks at two clocks. They're kids with parents who are agricultural, construction or service workers. Needing a space to traintheir boxers, including professionals and young amateurs, Joel and Antonio moved their operation to KBX Fitness, the North Indio gym of UFC featherweight Cub Swanson and his brother, Steve, also a mixed martial artist. This is what Diaz does throughout the day. "We're waiting for the doctor.". This is our home now, said Antonio Diaz. "This is a bad area." That, along with intelligence, is how he trains everyone here to fight. Forty-five seconds into round eight, after being knocked down for a third time, Velasco spit out his mouthpiece and indicated to Cole that he was finished.
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