“Stack’s” Five Mexican Prospects to Look Out for in 2016
By Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña
When boxing fans think of Mexican boxing, names such as Salvador Sanchez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Oscar De La Hoya come to mind. So with my first article of 2016 I decided to take a closer look at some of the top Mexican boxing prospects.
#5. Christian “Chimpas” Gonzalez, 12-0, 11 KO’s (Super Featherweight)
Christian who is the younger brother of Alejandro “Cobrita” Gonzalez, the WBC featherweight champion in the 1990’s began making a name for himself in 2015 after signing with Golden Boy Promotions. Chimpas began his professional career fighting his first 7 fights in Mexico after graduating from Buena Park High School. I recently talked with the 20 year old Gonzalez and he told me he plans on fighting 4 to 5 times in 2016, and because he only had 18 amateur fights “Every fight is a learning lesson”. Gonzalez has been showcased several times at the Belasco Theater in 2015 where I have had the opportunity to watch him fight. Gonzalez fights in the traditional come forward “Mexican Style” and loves to attack the body. Although still very young, Christian is an action packed fighter who fans should be on the lookout for in 2016 and beyond.
#4. Diego De La Hoya, 13-0, 7 KO’s (Super Bantamweight)
Diego who is cousin to Oscar De La Hoya has a extensive amateur background with over 250 fights. Diego won a Mexican National championship in 2011 and a silver medal at the Independence Cup where he lost to another top Mexican prospect Oscar Valdez. Diego turned pro in 2013 signing with Golden Boy Promotions, and with the surname of De La Hoya, young Diego has a target on his back everytime he steps into the ring. Diego fought 5 times in 2015 and captured the WBC Youth World Super Bantamweight Title in September.
Diego has very quick hands and is a technical fighter, he should be ready to battle a top 10 contender in 2016 with the hopes of fighting for a World Championship by 2017. Diego is being trained by Joel Diaz who knows a thing or two about making champions. Diaz currently trains Omar Figueroa, Ruslan Provodnikov and Abner Mares who are all current or former champions. He’s also played a big role in the early career success of current WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley.
#3. Saul “Neno” Rodriguez, 19-0-1, 14 KO’s (Lightweight)
2015 was a breakout year for Saul as this young prospect was showcased on national television, and made the most of it by knocking out a dangerous 1 loss Ivan “Bam Bam” Najera in devastating fashion in the first round. A knockout that was witnessed by undefeated prospect Felix Verdejo who was in attendance, and recently had a hard fought unanimous decision over Najera. Rodriguez who only fought in two senior tournaments in the amateurs turning pro in 2011 at the age of 18.
Saul is promoted by Top Rank Boxing and trained by Robert Garcia at RGBA in Oxnard, California, home too many great boxers including Marcos Maidana, Mikey Garcia, Brandon Rios, Evgeny Gradovich and others. 2016 should bring some big fights for Neno as he has shown he’s ready for a top 10 opponent and a future showdown with Felix Verdejo.
#2. Oscar Valdez 18-0, 16 KO’s (Super Featherweight)
Oscar a 3-year professional became a contender at 126 pounds in 2015 is now ranked No.1 by the WBO. He is a former international amateur standout, and is considered one of the best amateurs in the history of Mexican boxing. Valdez is the only Mexican boxer to compete in two Olympic Games, 2008 in Beijing and in the 2012 London Games. During his great amateur career Oscar developed a rival with another Mexican prospect Diego De La Hoya and had a big win over Carlos Cuadras, who is currently the WBC super flyweight world champion.
Oscar is promoted by Top Rank Boxing, and trained by Manny Robles at the Rock Gym in Carson, Ca. Valdez had 6 fights in both 2013 and 2014 and 4 fights in 2015 including a huge knockout victory over Chris Avalos. In 2016 Oscar has a great opportunity to go from prospect to contender in a boxing division that is loaded with talent with fighters such as Leo Santa Cruz, Gary Russell, JR. Abner Mares, and Vasyl Lomachenko to name a few.
#1. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, 19-0, 11 KO’s (Featherweight)
JoJo comes in as my top Mexican prospect. Diaz who is 23 is the current NABF Featherweight Champion is the #12 ranked Jr. Featherweight by the WBO, and No.17 by the WBC. Diaz who has an excellent amateur résumé, was the first American boxer to qualify for the 2012 Olympics by becoming a quarter-finalist at the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships, where he defeated both 2004 Olympic silver medalist Worapoj Petchkoom of Thailand and former world championship bronze medalist Oscar Valdez of Mexico.
Diaz turned pro and signed with Golden Boy Promotions in December of 2012 and is trained by his father Joseph Diaz, SR. JoJo has not had the opportunity to showcase his talents on HBO, or has had the media attention as other Olympians from 2012, but has fought the better type of opponents needed to improve on his boxing skills. Diaz has fought 5 times in 2015 capturing the NABF title in his last fight at Fantasy Spring Casino against Mexican Hugo Partida.
In October I had the opportunity to interview JoJo after his Victory vs Ruben Tamayo. I asked Diaz how he felt about his career and his future plans were? Diaz stated “I think I’ve improved the most in making sure I keep my composure and adapting to each style of fighting that I’m fighting against. As you see from my opponents, none of them fought the same, they all had different styles of fighting. Some were aggressive, some were tall and rangy, some were trying to be elusive in there and trying to counter me and try to outbox me”. He planned on staying at 126 and fighting top opposition in 2016 and hopes to have a championship fight come 2017. I see Joseph continuing to improve his skills as Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy have a star in making in Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, JR.
[si-contact-form form=’2′]