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Two-time lightweight champ Julio Diaz lands title fight
COACHELLA Julio Diaz, a two-time lightweight champion, will get his shot at a title April 24 when he faces WBA interim welterweight champion Keith Thurman at the StubHub Center in Carson.
The card is a showcase for knockout fighters such as Thurman, Argentinian Lucas Matthysse and lightweight champion Omar Figueroa, who also trains at the Indio Boys and Girls Club with Diaz.
Im going there to ruin the party, said Diaz, who at 34 is nine years older than Thurman. Ive walked in with respect, but no fear.
Diaz said he got the call over the weekend and signed the papers already. An official announcement from promoters Golden Boy Promotions is expected later this week.
Thurman is some of the biggest buzz in boxing currently. He is 22-0, with 20 of his victories by knockout. Its one reason why Golden Boy wanted to put him on a card with Matthysse and Figueroa, giving the fan three knockout experts to showcase.
At one point, people were throwing Thurmans name out as a future opponent for box office king Floyd Mayweather.
But Diaz said he saw Thurman last year and he wasnt enamored by him like the media and fans were of him. Diaz described Thurman as a;wild horse; but knows one punch can change the fight.
That what shines isnt always gold, Diaz said.To me, he dont impress me. He has power, and you have to give it to him. Hes a dangerous opponent. But if he doesnt hurt me with the power, he wont beat me.
Diaz hasnt fought since September and admits he got a little heavy with the inactivity. While Diaz is 0-2-1 in his last three fights, he put on compelling fights against former champion Amir Khan and current IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter.
But Diaz has been working the past two weeks with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley as Bradley prepares for his April 12 fight against Manny Pacquiao.
While Diaz is taking this fight on short notice, he knows the opportunity to fight a champion like Thurman was too good to pass up.
I might not be at my prime, but I come to fight and I come to fight hard, Diaz said. Im not coming in as a punching bag. I come to win.
COACHELLA Julio Diaz, a two-time lightweight champion, will get his shot at a title April 24 when he faces WBA interim welterweight champion Keith Thurman at the StubHub Center in Carson.
The card is a showcase for knockout fighters such as Thurman, Argentinian Lucas Matthysse and lightweight champion Omar Figueroa, who also trains at the Indio Boys and Girls Club with Diaz.
Im going there to ruin the party, said Diaz, who at 34 is nine years older than Thurman. Ive walked in with respect, but no fear.
Diaz said he got the call over the weekend and signed the papers already. An official announcement from promoters Golden Boy Promotions is expected later this week.
Thurman is some of the biggest buzz in boxing currently. He is 22-0, with 20 of his victories by knockout. Its one reason why Golden Boy wanted to put him on a card with Matthysse and Figueroa, giving the fan three knockout experts to showcase.
At one point, people were throwing Thurmans name out as a future opponent for box office king Floyd Mayweather.
But Diaz said he saw Thurman last year and he wasnt enamored by him like the media and fans were of him. Diaz described Thurman as a;wild horse; but knows one punch can change the fight.
That what shines isnt always gold, Diaz said.To me, he dont impress me. He has power, and you have to give it to him. Hes a dangerous opponent. But if he doesnt hurt me with the power, he wont beat me.
Diaz hasnt fought since September and admits he got a little heavy with the inactivity. While Diaz is 0-2-1 in his last three fights, he put on compelling fights against former champion Amir Khan and current IBF welterweight champion Shawn Porter.
But Diaz has been working the past two weeks with WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley as Bradley prepares for his April 12 fight against Manny Pacquiao.
While Diaz is taking this fight on short notice, he knows the opportunity to fight a champion like Thurman was too good to pass up.
I might not be at my prime, but I come to fight and I come to fight hard, Diaz said. Im not coming in as a punching bag. I come to win.
I think that should actually read April 26th, as that is the Saturday.
John Molina rumored to be Lucas Matthysse's opponent.
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