By Kirk Jackson: Juan Diaz was outclassed in his rematch with Juan Manual Marquez last Saturday. It was apparent from the opening bell who was the student, and who was the teacher, as Marquez built up a huge lead and Diaz looked confused through out the majority of the fight. Perhaps a strategy mishap, a mental relapse, or both, Diaz looked like a fighter without that fire he once had earlier in his career. It also didn’t help Marquez did not show too many ill effects of his age or the one year lay off he had, even after suffering a defeat last year from the hands of Floyd Mayweather. Although not the physically prime fighter he once was, Marquez showed he still has the instincts, intelligence, technique and skill to control a fight. He did exactly that, controlling a large portion of the fight, snatching most of the early and middle rounds. To Diaz’s credit, he did put on a strong showing the last 3 rounds of the fight, but by that time it was too late.

What’s next for the Baby Bull? A career in law, may be better suited for him rather than the physical impeding dangers awaiting him in the ring. Juan Diaz is still very young at 26, but because of his swarming high energy style, he may be ’old’ by boxing standards and may have worn his body out. He cuts easier now, and it seems he can’t fight at the strenuous pace he was accustomed to fighting at a few years ago.

If Diaz continues on with his boxing career, his options may be limited at the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions. One possible option would be a rematch against Katsidis, who Diaz was victorious over. The warrior from Greece Katsidis, is currently the mandatory challenger for the lightweight titles Marquez possesses. I’m sure if Katsidis were able to claim the lightweight championship for himself by defeating Marquez, he would be more than willing to give Diaz a rematch and avenge his loss.

At junior welterweight, the guys are too big for Diaz, and I wouldn’t fancy his chances against the likes of Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander and Amir Khan. Plus Paulie Malignaggi, Juan Manuel Marquez and Nate Campbell reside in this division and they have already earned victories over Diaz.

The law student/boxer from Houston, Texas may be at the end of his boxing career now, as he is physically regressing as a prize fighter. He’s lost 4 out of his last 6 fights, and one of the fights he did manage to win was controversial. He mentioned in one of his post fight interviews he has his Law School Admission Test to prepare for, and that may be the best option for his life right now.

Ideally this may not be the way he wants to exit the sport, but Juan has had a pretty good career thus far aside from his recent defeats inside the ring. In the beginning of his career, he was heralded as a teenage phenom, and was able to win multiple titles and almost unified all of the major sanctioning titles in the lightweight division during this alphabet belt era. Right now at age 26, Diaz still has his health, he has accomplished plenty inside the ring and out, and potentially has law school in his future. He has provided the fans with exciting fights over the years, and lets hope he makes the best decision for his future whether it be in boxing ring or in the court system somewhere making a difference.