JoJo Diaz: I’ll show I’m a major threat at 135lbs!

JoJo Diaz vs. Javier Fortuna

Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, USA – 9/7/21

JoJo Diaz has vowed to send out a warning to the rest of the lightweight division when he faces Javier Fortuna on Friday.

Two former world champions collide as Diaz (31-1-1, 15 KOs) faces Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) for the interim WBC lightweight title at the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles this weekend, live on DAZN.

Diaz and Fortuna went head to head at a press conference this week, and the former super-featherweight world champion plans on making a big statement in the lightweight division.

Diaz said: “All my opponents talk, but once we step into the ring it’s a different story. I let my actions do the talking.

“I was angry that things went the way they did in February. I had been inactive for a year following a great performance over Tevin Farmer, but everything happens for a reason and I’m willing to take on the tough challenges always.

“There are a lot of people ducking Fortuna, but I will execute my game plan and show what I’m all about, and show why I’m going to be a major threat at 135lbs.”

Fortuna said: “I’m motivated. I’ve changed my strategy and kept training hard in the gym for a great fight. It’s one thing to call out the devil, but it’s another thing to see him coming at you, and that will happen on Friday.”

Elsewhere on Saturday’s show, two unbeaten fighters go up against each other as Hector Tanajara (19-0, 5 KOs) faces William Zepeda (22-0, 20 KOs), and Tanajara is hoping to move a step closer to world title contention.

Tanajara said: “A win over Zepeda would put me in the mix for big fights in this weight class. I’m looking to be a world champion soon.

“Zepeda has a lot of knockouts, but he hasn’t faced the opposition I have, and that’s going to be a big factor and will show in this fight.”

Zepeda said: “This is an exciting card and it’s good to be on it with such great fighters. This is a big challenge for me to demonstrate who I am.

“This fight is very important for me and Hector. We’re two Mexicans, and when two Mexicans fight you always get a great show. Hector has a style that is very elusive. I like to pressure, but I also know how to box. I hope he has come prepared for a good fight.”