USA: BOXING - A 19-year old California boxer heads to the London Olympics in hopes of bringing home the gold
Record ID:
330976
USA: BOXING - A 19-year old California boxer heads to the London Olympics in hopes of bringing home the gold
- Title: USA: BOXING - A 19-year old California boxer heads to the London Olympics in hopes of bringing home the gold
- Date: 23rd June 2012
- Summary: EL MONTE, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (RECENT) (REUTERS) U.S. NATIONAL TEAM BOXER JOSEPH DIAZ WALKING INTO BOXING GYM VARIOUS OF DIAZ TRAINING WITH A SPEEDBAG VARIOUS OF DIAZ TRAINING WITH HIS FATHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOSEPH DIAZ JR., TALKING ABOUT HOW IT FELT TO JOIN THE U.S. BOXING TEAM, SAYING: "It felt like a dream come true just knowing all my hard work and determination paid off. It's just a blessing from God, I mean I always pray every single fight and just knowing that I finally made it and just knowing that I could finally inspire the kids that are from my city they could do it as well if I did it." VARIOUS OF DIAZ TRAINING WITH SPEEDBAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. NATIONAL TEAM BOXER, JOSEPH DIAZ JR., TALKING ABOUT THE INSPIRATION HIS PARENTS BRING HIM AS WELL THE PROFESSIONAL BOXERS THAT HE LOOKS UP TO, SAYING: "My biggest inspiration is probably my parents, my mom and dad. They sacrifice so much for me, I mean right now they're unemployed and so I know it's hard for them but they still put that sacrifice and effort and give 100 percent into what I'm doing. I'm the Olympian I am because of them. It's just a blessing. I love them with all my heart. The person that motivates me the most is Oscar de La Hoya. I mean he was born and raised in East L.A. and I know that he was just a kid trying to grow up and try to do big things in life and just knowing that he succeeded and he's so successful in life. I know that if I put my time and effort into it I can be successful just like him." DIAZ GETTING HANDS WRAPPED BY FATHER VARIOUS OF DIAZ PRACTICING IN THE RING WITH HIS FATHER (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. NATIONAL TEAM BOXER, JOSEPH DIAZ JR., TALKING ABOUT HOW HE IS PREPARING HIMSELF AGAINST BOXERS HE WELL COMPETE AGAINST IN LONDON, SAYING: "I believe were going to have eighteen fighters in my weight class. So I know ten fighters already. I know what they have and I know that everybody is going to be well trained and well prepared because everybody wants that gold medal so I know that I'm going to have to fight my heart out." VARIOUS OF DIAZ JUMPING ROPE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. NATIONAL TEAM BOXER, JOSEPH DIAZ JR. JR., TALKING ABOUT WHAT MAKES HIS BOXING STYLE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOXERS, SAYING: "I believe my style is unique, reason is because I can do whatever I want, however they're going be fighting. If they just want to rush me than I could box, if they want to box I'll brawl. So I change my style depending on how my opponent fights their fight." DIAZ SPARRING WITH HIS FATHER DIAZ PRACTICING PUNCHES IN FRONT OF MIRROR (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. NATIONAL TEAM BOXER, JOSEPH DIAZ JR. JR., TALKING ABOUT HOW EXCITED HE IS TO TRAVEL TO LONDON TO COMPETE, SAYING: "London is just going to be a dream comes true. Knowing that I'll be in the Olympics when I'm going to be in London, so it's just going to be awesome and just knowing that my family get to have a little vacation because they're going to be there as well is a blessing. " DIAZ JR. TRAINING THE RING WITH HIS FATHER AND COACH, JOSEPH DIAZ JR. SR VARIOUS OF DIAZ TRAINING WITH A SPEEDBAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) FATHER AND TRAINER OF JOSEPH DIAZ JR. JR., JOSEPH DIAZ JR. SR., TALKING ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS SON AS A COACH AND FATHER, SAYING: "Nothing changes I am his father and his trainer here at the gym and I'm his father and his trainer at home. I mean when were at home were going over skills, techniques and just talking him and giving him advice about life here. It doesn't change it doesn't interfere with what he's doing as an athlete. We have a good relationship and it's been working so far" DIAZ BOXING INTO CAMERA.
- Embargoed: 8th July 2012 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7KAX7Q9BBDCY45RTBW7D53QBK
- Story Text: For the past ten years, Joseph Diaz Jr. has been learning the art of boxing with the help of his father and trainer, Joseph Diaz Sr. The father-son combination has been a successful one as the fighter will be making his dream come true at this summer's 2012 Olympic Games.
The journey to London has not been easy, but the hard work and endless hours inside and out of the ring has given the 19-year-old from El Monte, California, the opportunity of representing the United States in the bantamweight division
"It felt like a dream come true just knowing all my hard work and determination paid off," explained Diaz. Jr.
"It's just a blessing from God, I mean I always pray every single fight and just knowing that I finally made it and just knowing that I could finally inspire the kids that are from my city they could do it as well if I did it."
Diaz Jr. knows that bringing home the gold medal will not be easy, but the hopes are high for this small-town kid who took up boxing to learn how to deal with being bullied at school.
"I believe were going to have eighteen fighters in my weight class," said Diaz Jr. "So, I know ten fighters already, I know what they have and I know that everybody is going to be well trained and well prepared because everybody wants that gold medal. So, I know that I'm going to have to fight my heart out."
With the new challenge of facing international competition Diaz is cautious but believes that his style of boxing has him at an advantage.
"I believe my style is unique reason is because I can do whatever I want, however they're going be fighting. If they just want to rush me, than I could box, if they want to box, I'll brawl. So I change my style depending on how my opponent fights their fight."
Diaz Jr. has not taken this journey towards the gold medal alone, his parents have been supporting him every step of the way and have been fueling his success as well.
"My biggest inspiration is probably my parents, my mom and dad," said Diaz Jr. "They sacrifice so much for me. I mean right know they're unemployed and so I know it's hard for them. But, they still put that sacrifice and effort to give 100 percent into what I'm doing. I'm the Olympian. I am because of them. It's just a blessing, I love them with all my heart."
The trip to London in search for the gold medal is a dream come true for Diaz Jr., one that will be even better knowing that he'll have his family in his corner cheering him on. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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