Dan Rafael: Although it looked like unified lightweight titlist Juan Diaz, the exciting 23-year-old from Houston, might not get another fight on HBO this year -- despite an exciting unification victory against Acelino "Popo" Freitas in April -- the network is stepping up. It is negotiating a unification bout between Juan Diaz (32-0, 16 KOs) and titlist Julio Diaz (34-3, 25 KOs). Target date: Oct. 13 on "Boxing After Dark."
Bryant(Pitt): DTM great notebook, in your opinion what are the % that Diaz/Diaz gets signed for October? Dan Rafael: (2:02 PM ET ) Very strong. I believe the fight will happen.
:bears: this is "THE" fight at 135, IMO. Casa is used up at 135, and hasn't proven shit. Let the Diaz's fight it out. Should be a great fight. And I don't rule out a Julio KO victory. The guy has under-rated power and speed.
Like it or not, Casa is THE Champ at 135. He beat Corrales who was the champ. How has he not proven shit?
I will agree with this, the problem is Casa has stunk himself out. He fights in such an unentertaining manor that the networks are freezing him out. He has put himself in a horrible position at the negotiation table. With all that said, Juan Diaz/Julio Diaz is great. I take Juan, he is just relentless and more skilled than Julio. Juan by tko 8
This one's a no-brainer. Julio's getting run right out of the ring to a TKO loss. Juan is gonna be on him like stink on shit, and Julio's not going to be able to keep him off.
I've discussed it with both guys, and told Julio in San Antonio that I thought his only shot was to catch Juan with some sucker shot and catch him coming in and knock him out, and I think that's his only realistic chance at victory here, but I just don't see it happening. Freitas caught him with several sucker shots like I thought he would, but Juan didn't go anywhere. I like Julio a lot, and his people a lot, but I can't see him winning this fight on points as Juan can fight all night long if he has to, and I don't think Julio can knock him out. Julio is a good fighter, but he loses here to a better fighter, IMO.
right on the money Karl, should be a fan friendly fight which most of Juan's fights always are. Karl, did you hear anything from Julio's people whether the IBF would allow the unification or not?
I haven't talked to Julio since November 2004 jarhead, and I didn't think he could beat Juan then, let alone now seeing as how much as Juan has improved since that time. The only guy I think that has a good shot at beating Juan that is near his weight is Hatton, to be honest with you. Julio will fight the good fight and land some good shots, and it will be lots of fun to watch I agree with you, but I just see him wilting under the pressure and body blows and going down to a late TKO loss here. I'll get to the gym and talk to Diaz about it in the near future, probably week after next and get some comments from him and he can maybe answer some questions from us folks here, ok? Karl
I don't think that fight would prove anything. Castillo looked too tired and sluggish against Hatton for me to want to see him against a busy, overhwleming fighter like Diaz. Frankly, that'd be two fights in a row Diaz has fought guys who probably shoud've been retired. I'd prefer seeing him fight someone like Diaz, or Michael Katsidis or Anthony Peterson, the WBO #1 contender.
I don't care to see Juan Diaz against Castillo. Does nothing for me. I would like to see Juan clean house at 135. If the IBF strips Julio for fighting Juan, there should be a nationwide boycott:flip: . If Juan was to clean up at 135 it would be a huge set up for a megafight with Hatton. Big payday for both especially if both stay undefeated.
I personally think Jesus Chavez would have beaten Julio Diaz if he would have gotten over the fight with Leavander Johnson I think Julio falls short against Juan, similar to how he fell short against Castillo
Diaz has a good shot at winning this one, I just don't think he can overcome Diaz in a relatively close fight until Diaz pulls away in the final third of the fight. Okay joking aside, that really is my prediction, with JUAN getting a unanimous decision.
