By Joe Harrison
This Saturday, former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz will face two-time world champion Jesus Chavez in the ten round main event at “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6″ at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion. The event is being presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs), a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, won the WBC Interim Lightweight Title with a tenth-round TKO over Jose Armando Santa Cruz on August 12th, 2006 in Las Vegas. Shortly afterwards, the regular WBC champ Joel Casamayor refused to face Diaz, resulting in Diaz being named the WBC Lightweight Champion.
On August 4th of 2007, Diaz successfully defended his strap against boxing legend Erik Morales at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, winning a twelve-round unanimous decision in front of his Chicagoland fans.
Now, fourteen months after losing to pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, Diaz returns to face former two-time champion Jesus Chavez (44-5, 30 KOs). Since Chavez lost his most recent bout against Michael Katsidis by an eighth-round TKO last April 4th, both Diaz and Chavez are looking to get back in the win column.
When asked if he felt ready to return to the ring after a 14-month layoff, Diaz sounded thrilled and delighted.
“I am very excited and anxious to get back into the ring,” said Diaz. “I feel great, I’ve had beautiful sparring sessions.”
“I’m in great condition, I feel strong and in shape. I’m very prepared for this fight. It’ll be a great show in Chicago. I’m ready to make a serious run for another title.”
Last time Diaz fought in front of his fans, he scored a spectacular win over Mexican legend Erik Morales. Now that Diaz is coming off a loss, he is motivated to be fighting in front of his fans in Chicago again.
“I’m definitely glad to be fighting here again,” said Diaz. “It’s a good situation for me; I want to get a win in Chicago so I can get my fans behind me again.”
Diaz also made it clear that he was not looking to make his return against a tune-up opponent. He expects a full war against a tough adversary in Chavez.
“He’s a very dangerous opponent, he’s coming to fight,” said Diaz. “He’s going to be there, neither of us are going to take any steps back. It’ll make a good Chicago fight.”
Tickets for “WARRIORS COLLIDE/WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 6” are priced at $151, $101, $76, $51 and $31, and are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), the UIC Pavilion Box Office (312-413-5740) and the 8 Count Productions Office (312-226-5800).
