22.07.04 – Dear Juan: I already have two solid nicknames for our world title unification bout. We could call it “D-Day” or we could call it “One Of These Diaz.” Are you listening and reading, Mr. Kery Davis at HBO? But allow me to digress. First, let me welcome you to the exclusive club of world boxing champions. We don’t have secret handshakes or anything, but I bet you love wearing that shiny, new WBA title belt. I feel the same way about my also brand new IBF lightweight belt.
You were truly impressive on HBO the other night against that one-man Mongolian horde, Lavka Sim. A lot of people didn’t think you would pass that test, even though you are a pre-law student. But you did and you came up to where I sit, at the head of the lightweight division.
I immediately told my trainer, Lee Espinoza, and my manager, Roger Schnellenberger, to call my great promoters, Ringsde Promotions By Sycuan. They phoned to San Diego and the powers that be with the Sycuan group–Willie Tucker Sr., Glenn Quiroga and Boxing VP Scott Woodworth loved my idea.
Diaz Vs. Diaz! Both in their first title defense. We both have slashing, aggressive styles mixed with what my favorite pharmacist, Harold Lederman, lovingly calls “ring generalship.”
And we’re both ticketsellers with strong fan bases beyond our hometowns which is Houston for you and Palm Springs and Southern California for me.
So, Juan, I suggest you put down the pre-law textbooks for a while and ring up your promoter, Carl Moretti, at Main Events. He was bragging about how Main Events has four world champions. Big deal! My Sycuan team has three world champs–me, Joan Guzman and Israel Vazquez–and it’s only been in the business for seven months. Main Events has been in the fight game for, what, 30 years?
So tell Moretti to delay his Disney World trip with his family. Tell him to get busy and burn up the phone lines to make a sizzling, hot match–Diaz Vs. Diaz. Moretti knows Scotty’s phone number. It’s on his speed dial.
You can come to Cali or I can travel to Tejas. It doesn’t matter. I just want to match my ring skills with yours.
You can’t beat me, Juan. No way. But I promise to give you a real educational experience, and years from now you will thank me for it.
Respectfully Submitted,
JULIO ”THE KIDD’ DIAZ
IBF LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION AND THE BEST DIAZ IN THE LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION