Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Lightweight World Champion Julio “The Kidd” Diaz (38-6, 27 KOs) says he’s still got plenty left to give boxing before he retires to run his construction company.
He will get the chance to prove it tomorrow, Friday, May 13, when he meets former WBO Light Welterweight Champion Kendall “Rated R” Holt (26-4, 14 KOs) in a crossroads battle at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California, and live on Friday Night Fights on ESPN3 at 9 pm, EST.
The two former champions will serve as the main event of a sensational card put together by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Thompson Boxing.
“For a while, I was starting to look old, but my body wasn’t getting old, it was my mental state and preparation that were suffering,” admits Diaz from his hotel room, waiting to weigh-in. “I lost discipline and focus for a bit and I was just fighting for the scale. But now, I’ve got my act together and I’m back on track.”
31-year-old Diaz says he knows he’s not a Kidd anymore and that this is a “loser goes home” type of fight with Holt.
“Yes, it is do-or-die for me and also for Kendall Holt. That’s why it’ll be such a good fight. The fans will be getting the best of Julio and Kendall because we’re both running out of chances, but I would not be here wasting my time if I didn’t feel I’m able to fight my way back up to another shot.”
Having prepared himself in a way in which he can be proud, says Diaz, will make some significant differences in his game.
“Holt has power with both hands, but in my career I’ve fought a lot of heavy hitters — some of the heaviest. Dehydrated, I was knocked out by the lightest puncher in the division, but well-prepared, I never had any problems. I’m going to be a lot stronger for this one than I have been in a while. It’s a whole new day. For instance, I just had breakfast. That’s a first for me in six years. For other fights, I would have got out of the sauna last night and be back in the sauna this morning and be back in there just before I left for the scale. Right now I’m relaxing in my room. I’m fresh.”
Still, should things not go as planned, Diaz says he’ll be happy working and running K & A Construction, the business he started with the proceeds from his impressive career.
“Before I turned pro, I worked in construction and then went on my own when I could afford it. I don’t rely on boxing because I’m very busy with my company. You don’t hear me asking for Pacquiao and trying to get a money fight I don’t deserve yet. I’m ready to finish my career in good standing. I would never take a fight against a young prospect as a stepping stone and humiliate my family. I would never do that. I’m here to win because I know I can and it’ll be very gratifying to prove it to the non-believers.”
Tickets are priced at $35, $45, $55, $65, and $75 and are available at Star Tickets.
You must be 18 to enter the Chumash Casino Resort.
JEFF LACY: HEY NICK DIAZ, “IF YOU WANT BLOOD, YOU GOT IT”
ST. PETERSBURG, FL, (May 12, 2011) Enjoying his birthday on Thursday morning with his family, former super middleweight boxing champion Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy has heard the rumors amidst the mixed martial arts world about his fight with Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz and wants to clear the air.
“I’ve agreed to the fight, his side sent out a press release saying he had agreed to the fight. But I’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s not serious about this, that maybe his so-called heavy hands can’t back up his big talk” said Lacy.
Lacy has moved forward with plans to open training camp and prepare for battle but wants to ensure that Diaz is up to the task.
“Diaz started this and I’m going to end it. He called me out, I accepted, that means we fight. That’s how it is in the boxing world; hopefully in the mixed martial arts business it works the same.”
“I’ve been hearing for years about MMA taking over boxing. We’ll see about that in the ring with Diaz and me.”
Titled “Breaking History”, the Lacy vs. Diaz match up would mark the first time an elite mixed martial arts athlete challenged an established boxer in the ring.
In his ten year professional career Lacy has amassed a record of 25-4 (17KO’s). Diaz, 25-7 in MMA, won a four round boxing match in 2005, his only entry into the squared circle.
News of the Lacy/Diaz bout has been the talk of both the boxing and MMA world in recent days with current super middleweight champion Andre Ward speaking about the bout to ESPN.com.
“I appreciate and admire [Diaz’s] courage,” Ward told ESPN.com, while in Las Vegas to watch Manny Pacquiao’s recent win over Shane Mosley. “It remains to be seen how well he’ll do, though.
“Nick has good hands, some of the best hands in MMA. But professional boxing is totally different. Totally different.”
“Lacy is dangerous,” Ward said. “I don’t know what everyone is talking about with Lacy. He is dangerous and he’s a very difficult fight for Nick. Jeff is a friend of mine and Nick is a friend of mine. I just want to sit back and watch it. It remains to be seen how it will all work out.”
Continued Lacy, “I’ve already picked out my ring walk music before I pummel Diaz. AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood, You Got It”. Hope to see you soon Nick.”
Team Puerto Rico Boxing’s Back-to-Back Boxing Spectacular June 10 & 11!
NEW YORK, NY (May 12, 2011) Two of boxing’s top promoters have put together a tribute to the great Puerto Rican boxers of past and future in the only way they know how: by staging two spectacular boxing shows, back-to-back in the same venue, loaded with the best young talent the island nation has to offer and hosted by one its greatest champions on the precipice of Puerto Rican Day Parade weekend.
On June 10 and 11 the Roseland Ballroom in will be the headquarters for Boricua boxing pride as Gary Shaw Productions (“GSP”) and DiBella Entertainment (“DBE”) proudly present Boricua Invasion I and II. Boricua Boxing I will air live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights, while Boricua Boxing II will be televised live on Showtime on ShoBox: The New Generation.
Both events will prominently feature members of Team Puerto Rico Boxing, the eight-man team of Puerto Rico’s future ring stars that GSP, DBE, Javier Bustillo’s Universal Promotions, and Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing have joined forces to assemble.
With hall-of-fame champion, and Puerto Rico’s beloved son, Felix “Tito” Trinidad acting as ambassador and host, Boricua Invasion I will feature highlight-reel welterweight KO specialist Kenny “Battlestar” Galarza (14-1, 14 KOs), of Juana Diaz, PR, in the main event against fellow Puerto Rican contender, Irving Garcia (17-6-3, 8 KOs). Topping undercard are the unstoppable welterweight on everybody’s “one to watch” list, Thomas “Tormenta” Dulorme (11-0, 10 KOs) as he battles former world champion DeMarcus Corley (37-17-1, 22 KOs), and former Puerto Rican Olympian, the 21-year old sensation,, Jose “El Dulce” Pedraza (2-0, 2 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
Special added attractions appearing on the undercard will be San Juan’s own Emanuel Gonzalez (9-7, 4 KOs) in a light heavyweight scrap, Puerto Rico-born women’s former world champion Melissa Hernandez (14-2-3, 5 KOs) of the Bronx, undefeated New Jersey welterweight southpaw Alex Perez (13-0, 7 KOs), Kansas heavyweight Steve Martin (0-1) and Dominican lightweight Jose Guzman (8-1, 5 KO).
Tickets for Boricua Invasion I on Friday, June 10 are priced at $45, $75, $125 and $175 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Saturday, Doors will open at 6:00 pm and the action starts at 6:30.
The next night, with legendary Trinidad once again acting as host, Boricua Invasion II will feature five more members of Team Puerto Rico Boxing taking their turn in the spotlight, as popular undefeated Puerto Rican featherweight Luis “Orlandito” Del Valle (12-0, 10 KOs) faces the stiffest test of his young career against the all-action Vietnamese brawler Dat Nguyen (117-1, 6 KOs). Rounding out the ShoBox broadcast will be Vincent Arroyo, coming off an 8-round decision over previously unbeaten Willie Nelson, against fellow Boricua Hector Sanchez (19-1, 9 KOs) and intimidating middleweight knockout artist Jonathan “Mantequilla Gonzalez (12-0, 12 KOs) against an opponent to be named.
In a special off-TV attraction, unbeaten Gabriel “Tito” Bracero will duke it out with an opponent that will be announced in the coming days.
On the undercard, team member Jorge “Machito” Maysonet Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), the promising son of former world title challenger Jorge Maysonet Sr., will look to stay unbeaten in a light welterweight four-rounder, Cupey Alto, Puerto Rico’s undefeated junior middleweight Elieser Gonzalez (11-0, 6 KOs), Bronx, New York super bantamweight Raul Lopez (5-1, 3 KOs) and undefeated Puerto Rican women’s sensation Amada Serrano (9-0-1, 5 KOs) will all see action.
Tickets for Boricua Invasion II on Saturday, June 11 are priced at $55, $85, $150 and $200 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone, or at any Ticketmaster outlet. On Saturday, Doors will open at 7:00 pm and the action starts at 7:30.
“These two events are the only right way to celebrate Puerto Rican boxing and its heritage and its future,” said Shaw of the blockbuster shows. “The mood in the Roseland Ballroom will be electric both nights, as New York City’s Puerto Rican citizens and fans of action-packed boxing flock to see their champions of tomorrow.”
“We are rolling out Team Puerto Rico Boxing in style with these two events,” added Lou DiBella. “If you live in the New York area, get a ticket and see what true nationalist passion looks and feels like, as the Puerto Rican fighters and fans join forces to celebrate their great country. Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11 will be unforgettable reminders of the glory days of boxing and I’m proud to be doing this.”
For eight decades, the fabulous Roseland Ballroom has been known as “The World’s Greatest Ballroom.” It has echoed with some of the greatest concerts, entertainers and events of our time. Dancers such as Arthur Murray, Joan Crawford, Ray Bolger and Fred Astaire have graced its stage and entertainers from Ozzie Nelson to The Rolling Stones and Madonna have played there. Roseland continues what it started in the 1920’s, which is the tradition of bringing distinguished acts and clients to its venue, but now with an updated style.
For more information on Team Puerto Rico Boxing and Boricua Invasion I & II, visit www.teampuertoricoboxing.com or www.latinoboxing.com. For more information on the Roseland Ballroom, visit www.roselandballroom.com.