Battling Bullies, Obstacles, & Fears, Diaz Reaches London Games

"Father & Son" Joseph Diaz Sr. with Joe Jr.

He’s going to the Olympics, but Joseph Diaz Jr. is a bantam weight and he’s a young all-American looking kid from South El Monte.

Do you know what that translates to? He’s a 123 pounds or less with the appearance of kid hanging around New Temple Park and the look of someone easy to pick on or intimidate.

“When I was eleven years old I used to have a lot of bullies,” said Diaz. “I was a small guy. A lot of people used to pick on me and I couldn’t take it anymore. I asked my dad what should I do, these bullies are picking on me.”

His father Joseph Diaz Sr. told his son there was a local gym that could teach him boxing and he could learn to defend himself.

“So when we got to the gym that same day there was a bully there and he walked right up to me and said; ‘Oh you want to be tough, you want to be tough? Lets spar?’ I was so scared and shocked I didn’t know what to say. It was my first day there and he already had two years experience. So I told him give me a week. He said okay so during that time period me and my dad worked on some skills and when we sparred I ended up making him bleed and cry. And ever since that I’ve loved boxing, I’ve loved being able to defend myself.”

Six years later Diaz was a national champion with offers to turn pro and a family in need.

“I wanted to turn pro, I knew I could help my parents but my father told me I had the ability and natural skills to do something else. He said the Olympics were just two years away and he encouraged me to wait it out.”

Over the course of the last two years Diaz, a graduate of South El Monte High School, kept winning. He saw more of the world going to places like Puerto Rico, Italy, and Brazil.

Finally the moment came in Baku, Azerbaijan at the World Championships. In the qualifying round for the Olympic games Diaz faced Mexico’s Oscar Valdez, number two ranked in the world. Three rounds to determine the outcome of all the hard work and commitment.

“Before the fight he was dogging me,” said Diaz. “Giving me mean looks. At first I was afraid but then I remembered he was human just like me. He bleeds, he sweats just like me. He was really tough, but I was up going into the third round and I knew he was going to come at me. I won, by one point, and when they announced me I just broke down.”

To reach his goal he overcame bullies and challenges. He gets up at six every morning and runs either six miles or works on wind sprints. He goes through strength and conditioning, and when all that is done he goes to the gym to work on his boxing skills. Now he joins previous El Monte/South El Monte heroes (Lance Larson, Sandy Nielsen, Kim Rhode, & Janet Dykman) on the biggest stage of all; the Olympics.

“I feel so blessed it was just a dream come true, just knowing all that hard work paid off. It’s a blessing and honor to represent the USA, knowing that everyone is going to watching me. I feel like walking up to one of the camera’s on NBC and say ‘I’m here, I’m finally here!’”

The challenges continue for Diaz at the London Games this summer. The United States has not won a gold medal in the bantam weight division since Kennedy McKinley did it at the Seoul Games in 1988. Prior to that? Oliver Kirk, at the St. Louis games in 1904.

There is also the challenge of finances. Diaz way is paid for my the U.S. Olympic Committee, but his parents and trainer Ben Lira have to find their own way.

“I want to have my parents there. Before I fight I want to look up at them and blow them a kiss and I know its going to inspire me to work all the harder.”

Many fundraisers are in the works to help get the Diaz family to London this summer. For more information contact Joseph Diaz Sr. at 626-274-4463.

He’s going to the Olympic games, he’s a bantam weight, he young, all-American, and champion at ovecoming adversity.

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