Diaz retains WBA lightweight title

Updated: December 8, 2004, 7:07 AM ET
SportsTicker

SAN ANTONIO - The "Baby Bull" quickly is showing he's all grown up.

Juan Diaz retained his WBA lightweight title Thursday night with a unanimous 12-round decision over Julien Lorcy at the SBC Center.

Boxing's youngest champion at 21, Diaz was making his first title defense since winning the strap from Lakva Sim in July.

A Texas native who is nicknamed "Baby Bull," Diaz (26-0) took the fight to Lorcy (56-4-2), who was looking to win the title for a third time.

Diaz concentrated heavily on the body and often was at his best late in rounds. Although the fight seemed closer, Diaz won easily with the judges scoring the bout, 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109.

With his straight-ahead style, Diaz effectively used his jab for much of the night. Lorcy had heavy swelling under his right eye by the third round.

"My biggest key was my jab," Diaz said. "Lorcy is a tremendous fighter. That's why he's a two-time champ."

A 32-year-old Frenchman, Lorcy previously held the belt in 1999 and 2001.

In a fight that featured plenty of action, Lorcy and Diaz each threw over 100 punches in a wild 12th round that had the crowd on its feet.

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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