Veteran Miguel Diaz on Pacquiao-Mayweather: “Economics will dictate where the fight belongs”

By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com, Wed, 02 Jun 2010

Very few people in the boxing world have gotten as many rewarding experiences out in Las Vegas as veteran corner man Miguel Diaz. Born in Argentina in 1932, Diaz would eventually make his way to the United States in search of a better life and soon was able to call California his home. A relocation to Nevada would come hand in hand with Diaz’ involvement in the sport and he would soon find himself working with one of the sport’s biggest promotional companies, Top Rank.

Diaz’ work within the company saw him play many roles, from being an every day cut man, giving advice in the corner, helping the fighters in training camp with their day to day needs, and just about anything else you could imagine or ask for. Over the years Diaz has played an intricate part in the careers of such fighters as Erik ‘El Terrible’ Morales, Miguel Cotto, Ricardo Torres, Joshua Clottey, and countless others.

One talent who Diaz got to know all too well was young and ambitious Floyd Mayweather Jr. who was fresh into his contract with Top Rank. Many hours were spent between the two men and Diaz’ belief in the Grand Rapids native’s ability was evident. While it was a great relationship the two men would eventually have to part ways in early 2001 as Diaz was working the corner of one of Mayweather’s opponents.

“I had a great time with him,” Diaz said of his time with Floyd. “Unfortunately at that particular time he had to fight one of my fighters, Diego Corrales. I was working the cuts on Floyd but I was training Diego so I had to separate from the team. I had too many little things at the time but I had a great relation with them and I still talk to his father and Uncle. I am actually the one responsible for Rafael Garcia being in his corner.”

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