By Elisinio Castillo, photo by Ryan Greene
Dominican boxer Felix Diaz (18-1, 8KOs), a gold medalist at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, will face Nicaraguan Levis Morales on December 16th at the Maunaloa Night Club & Casino in Santo Domingo.
Diaz, 32-years-old, was looking to face WBO junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford this coming Saturday night in Omaha. Crawford took a pass on him and instead will face John Molina.
Diaz has been out of the ring since dominating rising prospect Sammy Vazquez Jr. over twelve rounds in July.
Morales (14-3-1, 7KOs) picked up a quick knockout win in Nicaragua just last month, but has never faced anyone even close to Diaz's level. He was punched out in his only fight outside of his home country last March, when Olympic gold medal winner Luke Campbell - who fights at lightweight - put him away.
Diaz, who played out the bulk of his career in the United States, has not fought in the Dominican Republic since 2013.
"I am training very hard, because of the great opportunity to present myself and to fight again in my country," Diaz said.
The native of Sabana Perdida is still very focused on gaining a world title in 2017 and hopes that one of the junior welterweights will get in the ring with him.
"In 2008 I won an Olympic gold medal for my people in the Dominican Republic and now I am focused on giving them a world title as a professional boxer," he said.
Diaz is handled in the United States by promoter Lou DiBella. He is also advised by Al Haymon and part of the Premier Boxing Champions banner.