Julio Diaz: record, next fight and profile →
NEW YORK – Keith Thurman thinks the differences in their performances against Julio Diaz are indicative of the advantages he owns over Shawn Porter. Thurman stopped a faded Diaz after two rounds two years ago in Carson, California. Porter soundly defeated Diaz in their rematch in September 2013, but only after they fought to a 10-round draw in their first fight 3½ years ago.
Former welterweight champion Shawn Porter (26-1-1, 16KOs) is back at the top his division, after winning a twelve round unanimous decision over Adrien Broner on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Porter praised Broner as being a good, tough fighter. He also rates veteran and former champion Julio Diaz as being a tougher fighter. He faced Diaz two times. The first time Porter fought him to a ten round draw in 2012, and then set the record straight with a wide ten round decision in 2013.
Former champion Julio Diaz is the fighter only to share the ring with both Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15KOs) and Keith Thurman (23-0-1, 21KOs). Later tonight, Porter will have a tough nut to crack when he defends his IBF title against mandatory challenger Kell Brook (32-0, 22KOs), as the main event of a Showtime televised tripleheader from the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Over the last few months, a number of fans were demanding to see a fight between Porter and Thurman.
Displaying effective movement and defense, WBA interim-welterweight champion Keith Thurman landed nearly half his power shots, including a body shot that forced Julio Diaz to call it a night.
Former IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz (40-10-1, 29KOs), 34-years-old, has announced his retirement from Saturday's third round stoppage at the hands of Keith Thurman, the WBA's interim-welterweight champion. Diaz was rattled a few times during the fight and couldn't continue after three, after suffering a rib injury from a hard shot to the body.
StubHub Center, Carson, California - WBA interim-welterweight contender Keith Thurman (23-0, 21KOs) stopped veteran Julio Diaz (40-10-1, 29KOs) in three rounds, after Diaz suffered a rib injury and was unable to come out for the fourth. Thurman with the power edge in the first, landing some heavy lumber with both hands. Diaz took the punhces well and attempted to return fire. In the second Diaz was rocked and eventually went down after a delayed reaction. The round closed with the two of them trading punches. The third round was all-action, with punches flying from both fighters. Before the start of the fourth, Diaz retired on his stool with a rib injury.
Luis Sandoval catches up with WBA interim-welterweight champion Keith Thurman to discuss his third round TKO over Julio Diaz, what led to the rib injury of Diaz, some possible options for his career ike IBF champion Shawn Porter, thoughts on Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Marcos Maidana and more.
Keith Thurman, 25, is a talented young prospect trying to build a name for himself in the boxing worl. His opponents on Saturday night at StubHub Center in Carson is Diaz, 34, a former two-time world champion who is a 15-year veteran with 50 fights on his record. Could all of Diaz's experience play a role against Thurman?
Tough assignment for Julio Diaz, who's not busy enough to outhustle Keith Thurman and also not known as a puncher. Working behind a steady jab (7 of 33 landed per round), Thurman landed 47% of his power shots and has plenty of pop.
LOS ANGELES --- IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter is the hot fighter in the 147-pound division, but many ringside observers believe Julio Diaz deserved the verdict when they met in 2012. Porter won a clear-cut decision over Diaz, who faces Keith Thurman for the interim WBA welterweight title on Saturday at StubHub Center in Carson on Showtime, in the rematch last September.