From world champion to gatekeeper – The boxing life of Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz

When I turned on DAZN last night, I saw a familiar face in the squared circle.

The face was older now than when I had first spoken to him. Puffier, with scar tissue around the eyes. Heavier in body, but the spirit was willing.

Then he was rising in the rankings, an undefeated featherweight from Southern California who had grown up wanting to play shortstop for the Dodgers. His father trained him.

I was to interview Diaz after his fight against fellow hotshot Jayson Velez at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA.

The main event was Andre Ward’s fight against Sullivan Barrera.

Diaz dominated Velez, bringing the crowd to its feet with accurate combinations. His calmness was impressive. He didn’t rush things – just waited for the right moment to strike. It was textbook boxing. I pondered whether one day he would be a champion. He certainly had the skills. After the fight, we spoke for 15 minutes. The baby-faced Diaz was exuberant and smiled routinely. Here was a guy who really liked what he was doing.

Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr – Highlights

That was 10 years ago.

He was undefeated in 26 fights when the title shot came. Talented Gary Russell Jr., who had lost only one fight in his career to Vasyl Lomachenko, faced him.

The mercurial Russell was blurry fast. The question was, could Diaz keep up with him? Dennis Taylor and I had interviewed Diaz a few weeks before his fight with Russell. It had been hard to pin him down, but when we did, he was excellent – though maybe a little edgier than the first time I had spoken with him.

He fought Russell in Maryland on May 19, 2018. I’ll admit I was pulling for my fellow Southern California native. Diaz fought hard, but Russell was a step ahead, winning the fight by unanimous decision.

His next world title shot came two years later against Tevin Farmer. The fight was close. Diaz surged late and won the fight and the IBF world title.

Diaz had accomplished his dream. The future was bright, but soon dark clouds hovered nearby.

His first defense of his title was a year later, only he lost his hard-won belt on the scale a day before the fight.

Diaz went back home to Southern California to fight Javier Fontana at the BMO Stadium. He won the fight and looked good. Another title shot happened a year later – this time against Devin Haney in Las Vegas.

He lost the bout and his next two.

Diaz was 28.

That bright future had dimmed.

More serious issues came to light. An unidentified person filed a lawsuit against Diaz, accusing him of attempting to coerce a minor for sex. A year later, police arrested him for driving under the influence.

Trying to compartmentalize wasn’t working. Diaz lost his next two fights.

He came clean on X.

“These past few years I’ve been an alcoholic,” wrote Diaz. “It’s been killing me. I’m trying everyday to fight the urge and to stay away from it. Been sober from smoking and all other drugs. I have one more battle to overcome and that is with alcohol. God bless.”

He snapped his losing streak, but then lost his next three fights. In 2025, he won one and lost one. That loss was against former champion Regis Prograis.

That takes us to this past Saturday.

Diaz, with new trainer Freddie Roach, was fighting Alex Rocha, winner of 26 of 28 fights, ranked high like Diaz had once been.

Rocha won the fight. Diaz, called a gatekeeper by one announcer, showed flashes of his former self, but flashes don’t win bouts.

Retirement is likely on the table, but giving up something you love at 33 has to be tough.

Boxing can be ruthless. When you’re down, many take advantage.

Diaz was on top once.

Now? He fights on with memories and hopes, and long odds.