LOS ANGELES, December 22 - In 2008, Mexican icon Juan
Manuel Marquez solidified his place among boxing's elite and
became Mexico's number one fighter by knocking out Joel
Casamayor and winning a championship in a third weight
class. As 2009 opens, Marquez will not be resting on his
laurels, as he accepted the challenge to face former
three-time lightweight champion Juan "The Baby Bull" Diaz on
Saturday, February 28th in what promises to be an
early Fight of The Year candidate.
"This fight between Marquez and Diaz will shake the
lightweight division to its core and truly determine the best
135-pounder in the world," said Oscar de la Hoya, President
of Golden Boy Promotions. "As a fan, I can't wait to see
this fight."
Marquez vs. Diaz, a 12 round bout for the Ring
Magazine World Lightweight Championship, is presented by
Golden Boy Promotions and will be televised live on HBO's
World Championship Boxing beginning at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT.
Mexico's premier fighter and a future Hall of Famer, Juan
Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KO's) has signified
excellence for over 15 years and in three weight classes. A
world champion at featherweight and junior lightweight, the
35-year-old Mexico City native made an immediate impact at
135 pounds when he won the Ring Magazine World Lightweight
Championship by becoming the first man to stop Cuban great
Joel Casamayor on September 13, 2008.
"Juan Diaz is a talented young fighter with a bright future,"
said Marquez. "But this is still my time and I am not about
to let Diaz take my belt away from me."
Just nine years old when Marquez made his pro debut, 25-year
old Juan Diaz (34-1, 17 KO's) has roared through the
pro ranks during his eight-year career and built a stellar
reputation as one of the fight game's most exciting young
stars. The Former Three-Time World Lightweight Champion
defended his crown seven times, beating the likes of fellow
World Champions Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz along the
way. In his last bout in September of 2008, "The Baby Bull"
thrilled his hometown fans at the Toyota Center in Houston,
Texas with a dominant 12 round decision win over Australian
warrior Michael Katsidis.
"Juan Manuel is one of the greats in the game and it's an
honor to fight him, but I will be victorious on February 28th,"
said Diaz.
A site for Marquez vs. Diaz will be announced shortly. For
more information please visit
www.goldenboypromotions.com
