Going into the 2008 Olympic Games Felix Diaz was little know and not favoured to bring back a medal. That all changed in the space of a few weeks when he won the Dominican Republic’s only gold of the games. Following that success he elected to turn pro in the summer of 2009 and has progressed well winning all nine fights so far stopping six of his opponents inside the distance. The 27 year old southpaw has picked up important International experience fighting in four different countries to date. He’s next due to see action again in Russia on the 18 June, though no opponent is known as yet.
Hello Felix, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – You were supposed to face Yuri Nuzhenko recently but that fight fell out can you tell us about this?
Felix Diaz – Unfortunately the originally planned opponent, Yuri Nuzhenko, had to be replaced shortly before the bout. My promoter and the opponent were unable to agree on the number of rounds for the bout, so I heard. The opponent that I boxed against instead was in fact too easy. I want to box against strong opponents in order to develop my skills further and win titles. I would have liked to box against Nuzhenko to show the world that I am ready for the big fights.
Anson Wainwright – You have fought in several countries already, can you tell us about this from your point of view?
Felix Diaz – I have already boxed in many different countries. I find it interesting and meeting people from different cultures has helped my personality grow. People are enthusiastic about boxing all over the world, regardless of race, culture or language.
Anson Wainwright – Who are your managers, trainers & promoters? Also where do you regularly train?
Felix Diaz – My management company is Mundo Boxing S.L. from Santo Domingo. They have around ten top prospects under contract. Our legal advisor is the German lawyer Rafael Villena y Scheffler. My trainer is Pedro Luis Diaz Benitez, who also trains Odlanier Solis, David Lemieux and Jean Pascal. As you can see, I have gathered a top team around me, which is without a doubt essential to win World Championship titles and to defend them. I train in the Dominican Republic as well as in Florida and in Canada.
Anson Wainwright – You won Gold for your country at the 2008 Olympics. How did this change things for you? Did you become an over night celebrity in The Dominican Republic?
Felix Diaz – With the Olympic victory, a lot has changed for me. I can’t go anywhere in my country without being recognised, and in the United States and elsewhere, people often come and talk to me, too. I am proud to have won the gold medal for the Dominican Republic and for all Latinos in Beijing in 2008, and hope to be an inspiration to young people. As a professional boxer, I would of course like to earn money in order to provide a better life for my family and myself.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career? What titles did you win and what was your final record?
Felix Diaz – My amateur record lies at 280 victories, and just under 40 lost bouts. My biggest title was the Olympic victory 2008 in Beijing.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do in your spare time away from Boxing?
Felix Diaz – Besides boxing, I like to listen to music, and also play basketball, I very much like to eat, and I love spending time with my family.
Anson Wainwright – I believe that your homeland is quite poor what can you tell us about your childhood and how it took you into Boxing?
Felix Diaz – My childhood was not very different to that of other poor children. Life consisted of going to school, eating, playing, and then going to bed. My brother is the reason why I started boxing.
Anson Wainwright – Two of the top fighters from the Dominican Republic are Joan Guzman & Fernando Guerrero. What is your relationship with them?
Felix Diaz – I would call Joan Guzman a friend of mine. I don’t know Fernando Guerrero personally.
Anson Wainwright – Who is your Boxing hero and why?
Felix Diaz – My boxing hero is Oscar de la Hoya. Not only because of his quality as a boxer, but also because of his entrepreneurial qualities. My goals in boxing are to become World Champion quickly, and then part of the top ten of the best boxers of all classes. I would also like to fight Manny Pacquiao, and of course win against him.
Thanks for your time Felix
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
