Investigators said that an up-and-coming young boxer died in a crash in Palmdale, California, on Friday, Nov. 24.
Cesar Diaz, a bantamweight prospect who signed with Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions in 2016, lost control of his vehicle as he was driving and crashed into a tree around 8 p.m., police said.
He was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, officials told ABC7. His girlfriend, who was also in the car, was hospitalized.
“Everyone at Golden Boy Promotions is heartbroken over the passing of Cesar Diaz over Thanksgiving weekend,” Golden Boy Promotions said in a statement on Facebook. “As talented and aggressive as he was in the ring, anyone who met Cesar knew how kind and nice he was outside of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cesar’s girlfriend, who remains in critical condition, and his entire family.”
A native of Mexico, Diaz went 104-11 and won several tournaments as an amateur. He turned pro in 2016 and had a 7-0 record with 6 knockouts.
According to ESPN:
Diaz, who born in Mexico before relocating to Palmdale with his family as a child, began boxing at age 9. He was told by his parents that he wasn’t going to be allowed to sit around the house after school and that he would have to pick a sport to participate in. His choices were boxing or karate, and there were gyms for each sport on the same street near where he lived.
After a week in the boxing gym, Diaz was sold.
It’s unclear why Diaz lost control of his car.
Those with information on the accident can call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office Palmdale station at 661-272-2400.
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