Vicious beating gives Diaz a lot to think about, Retirement may be his best option

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LAS VEGAS -- Long after the fight was stopped Saturday night, while David Diaz was in the hospital getting his face stitched up and taking precautionary tests for head trauma, Freddie Roach broached the subject of Diaz's future.
''They're going to have to regroup and sit down and think about what his future is going to be,'' Roach said.


Roach is one of the top trainers in the world, and his star pupil, Manny Pacquiao, had scored a ninth-round technical knockout to capture Diaz's World Boxing Council lightweight championship earlier in the evening.
It was a vicious fight. Diaz was matched against the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. Pacquiao's speed and power opened several nasty cuts on Diaz's face, and the accumulation of punishment reached a climax in the ninth, when a left sent Diaz to the canvas.
Referee Vic Drakulich didn't bother counting and immediately stopped the bout.
''David Diaz has been to the Olympics, he's won a world championship and he's beaten some good fighters,'' Roach said. ''He's an A-class fighter, and he's tough as nails. You can't say anything else. He showed a lot of [guts].''

I asked Roach what he thought about Diaz's future, and he paused for a second to consider his words carefully.
''I'd like to see him retire maybe,'' Roach said. ''He's a game guy and got overwhelmed. He took a bad beating.

''David Diaz should take a six-month rest and then decide what he's going to do with his career. Right now is a bad time to make that choice because it's after a rough fight. He needs a nice, long rest. He doesn't need to get back in the ring for a while. Spend some time with his family and then make a solid decision in about six months.''

Before heading to the hospital, with the heat of the battle still coursing through his veins, Diaz said: ''We live to fight another day. You win some and lose some.''
There was some concern immediately after the fight, while Diaz lay on the mat, that he was seriously hurt. Even Pacquiao said he was worried and prayed that Diaz was OK. As it turned out, the ring-side doctor had told Diaz not to get up until he did some preliminary exams.

Diaz is a 32-year-old husband and father of two. The brutality of the night made me think of something he told me last week about his future and the risks of boxing.
''It's a very rough sport,'' Diaz said. ''There's a lot of wear and tear.
''That's why everybody I come across, I tell them if I ever start slurring my speech to pull me away. Money or no money, it's not worth it.''
It's tough to tell anyone to retire, but Diaz has accomplished nearly everything he set out to do in boxing. The only thing missing was a huge payday, and that opportunity likely has passed. He made more than $1 million over his last three fights combined, so the humble, blue-collar guy from Chicago should be able to live comfortably for a while.


What I don't want to see is Diaz become a steppingstone for young lions looking to make a name by defeating a former world champ. People loved Arturo Gatti's bravado, but the last time I saw him interviewed, I winced. This was a Gatti-type performance.
Diaz's speech isn't slurred. In fact, he's articulate and funny. But I'm guessing by the time the speech is slurred, it's too late.
Diaz could do smaller shows in Chicago, but those may be beneath him at this point. Why would he train as hard for a no-name as he did for Pacquiao or Erik Morales? And what if he lost to the no-name? That's no way for this guy to go out.


Diaz is surrounded by trainers and promoters who not only work with him, but also genuinely care about his well-being. They'll make the right decision.
Maybe he does have one or two more fights against a guy like Marco Antonio Barrera, who might come out of retirement. But why?
Like Diaz said, the risks of boxing aren't always worth the money.



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