By Rick Reeno
The battle between IBF/WBO/WBA Juan Diaz (33-0, 17KOs) and IBF mandatory Nate Campbell (31-5-1, 25KOs), scheduled for March 8 in Cancun, Mexico - is finally going forward as BoxingScene.com received confirmation that both fighters have signed the contract. Diaz-Campbell will be the co-feature to Oleg Maskaev's defense of the WBC heavyweight title against Samuel Peter.
Willie Savannah, manager of Diaz, tells BoxingScene that his fighter wants to be a promotional free agent and that's the main reason why he's agreed to fight Campbell for a purse which is lower than the agreed upon contract minimum (per Diaz's contract with promoter Don King). Diaz's contract with King runs out on March 31.
"The only reason we are taking this fight for short money is make sure there is nothing beyond this fight. Nate is also our mandatory so either we do it March the 8th or we'd have to do it at some point anyway," Savannah said.
Contrary to other reports, Savannah has denied the rumors of two fight options remaining with King. He says Campbell is the last fight remaining on Diaz's contract with King, and then his fighter is a free agent.
"There are no two options on the contract. I don't care who says what, but I can guarantee there are no two options," Savannah said.
Once the fight with Campbell is in the bank, Savannah expects a flood of promotional offers from every corner of the boxing industry. When Diaz's contract ran out with Main Events in 2006, several major promoters tried to secure the undefeated champion. This time around, Savannah predicts a bigger bidding war will erupt.
"We are going to enterain all offers. After we get the fight over with Nate, we will sit back and see what's out there. Maybe we will sign with someone, maybe we won't sign and stay independant," Savannah said.
Savannah hopes that Michael Katsidis is able to get past Joel Casamayor on March 22, so Diaz can fight him next.
"If Katsidis does what he has to do and Juan gets by Nate, they can fight - and the fight will be bigger," Savannah said.
