Big time is when two lightweight titleholders, Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz, put it all on the line to unify one of boxing's “glamour” divisions. Big Time is when you have a brand spanking new facility like the Sears Centre opening its doors to the “sweet science” in a UFC world. There’s no surprise here, folks, as effective promotion is all about knowing who and where your audience is. In 2000 reports indicated the Latino community growth at a whopping 69% and as of this writing half of that population is in their late twenties/early thirties. This bout isn’t just another fight in a long line of great Mexican showdowns; it is a battle for the future affections of boxing's “prized” demographic. Last Saturday Night Manny Pacquiao further upped the ante by retiring Marco Antonio Barrera (by force) and promptly announcing he will be a lightweight hereafter. Mexican fans will be clamoring for a “prime” lightweight to step up and stop the bleeding. For Mexican fans this fight will go a long way towards fine tuning the fighter who can stave off the Hurricane blowing in from the Philippines.

From the days when Mexican fans packed the old Inglewood Forum to witness the exploits of greats like Ruben Olivares each bout of this magnitude elicits “cultural” expectations. Israel Vasquez and Raul Marquez fulfilled their order earlier this year with their second scintillating bout so the bar has been set. As greats like MAB, Erik Morales and (yes) Juan Manuel Marquez fade, the pressure will be on Juan and Julio to ascend to the first tier starting October 13th. Neither fighter is a stranger to exposure but as with Morales and Barrera before them there will be a career long onus to master one another after this fight. Juan Diaz, Houston’s “Baby Bull” knows the importance of this clash and already made it clear by stating the only way he’ll lose is if they carry him off by stretcher. Julio Diaz quickly retorted that he had every intention of obliging the young champion.

Julio Diaz, a smooth 5’ 9" boxer who seemed on the fast track before Jose Louis Castillo mauled him in 2005, can only seethe watching Juan’s star rise as only the “hunter” can. His “beef” with the affable “schoolboy” is rooted in Acelino Freitas’s flip flop (retiring before facing Julio only to return within weeks to face Juan on HBO) and the belief that the “Baby Bull” is a fabricated entity. Julio believes Juan is a comparable boy (Chico pequeño); also a reliable theme among fighters in the Mexican boxing universe. According to Julio, he’s wanted the showdown for two years and takes every opportunity to disparage Juan’s “educational pursuits.” Juan Diaz one of the best “moved” fighters in recent memory believes Julio tried to pick him off when he was still green two years ago. Understandably after facing a legitimate beast Julio had to look over at Juan and feel the Houston native was the kind of prey that could put him back on the A list. Neither man has forgotten the way the other made him feel back in 2005.

Since the days of Gene Tunney boxers who are cerebral and have a thirst for knowledge outside of the squared circle have been viewed with cynicism. The theory (or stereotype) is that “thinkers” aren’t tough enough and certainly inferior to “instinctive,” “born” fighters. In my opinion the whole theory of “born fighters” is flawed, some kids are born aggressive (by nature or nurture) but saying someone is born to fight is taking it too far. Juan Diaz, the “thinker” that he is does something that a lot of fighters even on the “upper” echelons fail to do. He keeps his hands up and brings his punches (after punching) all the way back to defensive setting. Sounds simple, so simple that I actually watched a four year old girl walk around the house in this posture to imitate Juan. Maybe that future attorney knows keeping your hands up isn’t rocket science where “instinctive” fighters like Jermain Taylor find it constricting. With this being said the absence of Ronny Shields on Saturday will do little to dilute Juan’s deeply ingrained fundamentals.

Juan Diaz won’t take the “schoolboy” bait either; he knows that the determination to become an attorney and a champion are similar. “I’m not putting the books down and will keep working towards a law degree.” Lennox Lewis used to routinely play chess before getting in the ring to kick ass because he understood the mind-body connection. From a cultural viewpoint a lot of minority groups in sports (and life) chastise one another out of fear. If a teammate or future foe does not stay within the narrow chasm of what that minority group views as “real” then that individual is questioned. This may make October 13th interesting but it won’t win the fight for Julio. Remember Fernando Vargas was the “real” Mexican against Oscar de la Hoya.

This is what makes our sport great, classic style match ups capable of creating great rhythm and combative narrative. Julio is a classic boxer and he’s definitely the best pure boxer Juan’s ever faced. Juan, on the other hand, is an intelligent pressure fighter who will pump an underrated jab to get inside. Julio is right when he claims that his adversity makes him more of a well rounded, mature fighter and this will aide him in dealing with Juan’s pressure. Juan, who is always in great condition, really has to maximize his shots when he gets inside by turning on them. A lot of times in the past the “Baby Bull” received credit from judges for moving his hands but Julio is skillful enough to neutralize this course with movement. Juan has to avoid following the boxer and use great footwork to make his Bull rushes more effective. Julio has to keep Juan turning and keep him on the end of the jab, in the words of (ESPN’s) Teddy Atlas; make him pay for real estate.

The winner has to go for the green belt (WBC) the pride of Mexican warriors throughout the Alphabet era. That means Chicago’s David Diaz and another trip to the Windy City. That fight will allow Manny Pacquiao to get nice and comfortable at lightweight setting up a showdown with Mexico’s “next generation” in 2008. In the meantime passions will run high on Saturday Night as each man battles for unification, rivalry and the love of the people.