By Mike Nosky
A deal to match former USBA welterweight titlist Delvin Rodriguez and former NABF and NABA titlist Oscar Diaz is ‘almost done’, according to Rodriguez’ promoter Joe DeGuardia on Thursday night.
Should the deal get completed, it would take place on July 16 and would be the main event of ESPN’s ‘Wednesday Night Fights’ card from a site to be announced.
Rodriguez (22-2-1, 13KOs) has won two in a row since losing his title to Jesse Feliciano in March ’07. He rebounded with a second round drubbing over Keenan Collins five months later and followed that up with a dominant decision win over previously unbeaten Troy Browning in February.
Diaz could well be considered Rodriguez’ toughest opponent to date. He is currently 25-2 (12KOs) and is still only 25 years old. Four years ago, he was a top flight 21-year-old prospect before he was upset by Ebo Elder.
He won eight bouts in a row following the Elder defeat before being stopped in the 11th round by Golden Johnson in November ’06. He has only been in ring once since then (a 1st round no-contest against Juan Buendia last July) and hasn’t had his hand raised in victory in a span of nearly two full years.
