By Steve Kim
Featherweight contender Joseph Diaz, remained undefeated (24-0, 13 KO's) by out-pointing previously unbeaten Manuel Avila on the Saul Alvarez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. undercard at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
With the victory, he stayed in line for a title shot.
Currently, Diaz is ranked second by the WBC (who's champion is Gary Russell Jr) and number one by the WBO (who's belt is held by Oscar Valdez).
On April 22nd, Valdez defeated his mandatory challenger Miguel Marriaga via decision at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Russell faces his mandatory challenger, Oscar Escandon, on May 20th from the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
"Jojo is ready to fight any of he world champions," said Robert Diaz, matchmaker for Golden Boy Promotions, told BoxingScene.com. "His preference is with the WBC but now there's an opportunity with the WBO. So we're going to see what the best option is for him."
Diaz has no problem with matching his boxer against any of the world champions in the weight division.
"I see (Joseph) as one of the top guys in the division, definitely now, he is ready to fight for a world title," stated Diaz. "Not only fight for a world title - win a world title."
Last weekend's fight was Diaz's first for the year. In 2016, he saw action four times with wins over Jayson Velez, Victor Proa, Andrew Cancio and Horacio Garcia.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.