Christopher Diaz: record, next fight and profile →
After two unsuccessful attempts to obtain a world title, Puerto Rican fighter Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz will face former world champion Isaac Dogboe - which Diaz views as a big opportunity to get back on track towards the big leagues of boxing.
On Saturday, Nov. 20 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, two middleweight showdowns and a 50-50 fight featuring undefeated lightweights will comprise the televised PPV undercard of the welterweight super fight between undefeated WBO world champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and former two-time welterweight world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter.
Featherweight contender Christopher "Smurf" Diaz is motivated to regroup and move forward with his career. Last month, he suffered the first stoppage loss of his pro run when he took punishment and was stopped in the twelfth round by World Boxing Organization (WBO) world champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete (33-1, 27 KO's) at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.
ESPN’s audience grew Saturday night as knockout artist Edgar Berlanga was extended the distance for the first time as a pro. Nielsen Media Research released data Tuesday that indicated an average of 803,000 viewers watched Berlanga’s eight-round points victory over Demond Nicholson on Saturday night. Viewership peaked at 829,000 toward the end of Berlanga’s unanimous-decision victory over Nicholson at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.
Emanuel Navarrete expected his latest title challenger to rise to the occasion, though surprised at how much was required to eventually get rid of Christopher Diaz.
Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz sensed that a boxing match would turn into a fight at some point. Neither the game plan nor outcome went as planned for the two-time challenger, who suffered a 12th round stoppage loss to WBO featherweight titlist Emanuel ‘Vaquero’ Navarrete. Puerto Rico’s Diaz was dropped four times before his corner called for referee Samuel Burgos to end the fight at 2:49 of round 12 in Saturday’s ESPN-televised main event from a sold-out Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida.
Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida - WBO featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete fought off a very game Christopher Diaz for a twelfth round stoppage. The Mexican star knocked down Puerto Rican contender Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz four times.
By Jake Donovan - Emanuel Navarrete survived a spirited challenge and partisan crowd to extend his second divisional title reign. Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz showed plenty of fighting heart but was ultimately outgunned by Mexico’s Navarrete, who scored a 12th round stoppage to defend his WBO featherweight title Saturday evening at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. Navarrete scored four knockdowns on the night, the last of which subsequently prompted a stoppage at 2:49 of the 12th and final round in their ESPN-televised main event.
Navarrete, Diaz Scorecard BoxingScene Live - Central Florida will turn into Northern Puerto Rico on Saturday evening when two of the island's favorite boxers look to make emphatic statements. (photos by Mikey Williams)
Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Diaz learned two valuable lessons in his first career major title fight. The main takeaway from his 12-round loss to Japan’s Masayuki Ito for the WBO junior lightweight belt in July 2018 was that he didn’t belong at the weight. The other harsh reality realized that night is that entering the ring as the crowd favorite won’t propel you to victory once the opening bell sounds.