ROBERTO Diaz left Golden Boy Promotions after being one of the world’s top matchmakers, playing a crucial role in their success. His influence during a defining period in the company’s history may still be felt, even after his departure. By Declan Warrington.
The fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and John Ryder in Guadalajara on Cinco de Mayo weekend last year took place shortly after Roberto Diaz had a heart attack. Despite this, the respected matchmaker was ringside, having traveled from Los Angeles to be present.
He was accompanied by his wife Carla, who has been working for the top fighter for a long time. Weeks later, he watched from a distance as Jaime Munguia narrowly defeated Sergiy Derevyanchenko, with particular interest given his past contributions to Munguia’s career before leaving Golden Boy Promotions earlier in 2023.
Throughout his 15-year tenure at Golden Boy, Diaz was known as one of the world’s best matchmakers, playing a vital role in the promotional organization that was once considered the most powerful in the world. While recent victories like Ryan Garcia over Devin Haney have further solidified their interests, they may never reach the heights of the past when super fights and the presence of boxing legends like Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins, and others made them so appealing.
It was Diaz’s association with Marco Antonio Barrera before joining Golden Boy that facilitated the fight between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather. This fight, along with many others, showcased Diaz’s talent for making significant fights happen.
A-list association: Marco Antonio Barrera (Stephanie Trapp/TGB)
Furthermore, Diaz’s departure from Golden Boy allowed his reputation to grow even more, highlighting his impact on the boxing world. His experience and unique perspective have made him a valuable asset and a significant figure in the sport.