Boxing Coverage on Sherdog.com‘Jojo’ Diaz to Fight Jayson Velez March 26 on HBO
HBO announced Wednesday that the bout to open the telecast of the
Andre
Ward-Sullivan Barrera event will be an entertaining
featherweight brawl between Joseph Diaz Jr. and Jayson Velez. The
battle is scheduled for 10 rounds.
Diaz had a sensational amateur career that culminated with a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team. “Jojo” has been impressive thus far in his pro career and has already racked up a few noteworthy victories. With wins over the likes of Ruben Tamayo and, most recently, Hugo Partida, Diaz (19-0, 11 KOs) captured the regional NABF featherweight title and looks to defend it against Velez, with plans of eventually taking on the elite of the 126-pound division.
“I am excited and very grateful about making my debut on HBO,” Diaz
Jr. said in a statement. “HBO is known for putting on the best
fights and I feel honored to defend my title for the fight time on
the network. Every fighter dreams to fight on a big stage like HBO.
I know Jayson Velez is a very tough contender, but I promise not to
let my team and my fans down.”
In Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs), Diaz is expected to have his hands full. The Puerto Rican is coming off his first pro loss this past November where he was edged out by Ronny Rios in Las Vegas via decision. “La Maravilla” holds solid wins over Salvador Sanchez, Dat Nguyen and Daniel Ramirez and is eager to get back on the winning track.
“I am ready and focused for this fight,” said Velez. “After my loss against Ronny Rios, I had to change a lot of things in my training including my corner. I understood that I had to work harder to prove that I still have what it takes to be on the top of the featherweight division. I am very excited to have that opportunity on HBO and against a fighter like Joseph Diaz Jr. I want to challenge myself and fight the best. I know that defeating Diaz Jr. will prove that I am back.”
The event will take place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, and will be televised live on HBO starting at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT.
Diaz had a sensational amateur career that culminated with a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team. “Jojo” has been impressive thus far in his pro career and has already racked up a few noteworthy victories. With wins over the likes of Ruben Tamayo and, most recently, Hugo Partida, Diaz (19-0, 11 KOs) captured the regional NABF featherweight title and looks to defend it against Velez, with plans of eventually taking on the elite of the 126-pound division.
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In Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs), Diaz is expected to have his hands full. The Puerto Rican is coming off his first pro loss this past November where he was edged out by Ronny Rios in Las Vegas via decision. “La Maravilla” holds solid wins over Salvador Sanchez, Dat Nguyen and Daniel Ramirez and is eager to get back on the winning track.
“I am ready and focused for this fight,” said Velez. “After my loss against Ronny Rios, I had to change a lot of things in my training including my corner. I understood that I had to work harder to prove that I still have what it takes to be on the top of the featherweight division. I am very excited to have that opportunity on HBO and against a fighter like Joseph Diaz Jr. I want to challenge myself and fight the best. I know that defeating Diaz Jr. will prove that I am back.”
The event will take place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, and will be televised live on HBO starting at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT.
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