The battle lines have been drawn and now the stage is set for the February 28 IBO Lightweight Championship between champion Juan Manuel Marquez and challenger Juan Diaz which will take place at Houston's Toyota Center.

Mexico's premier fighter and a future Hall of Famer, Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez, 49-4-1 (36), 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.

Just nine years old when Marquez made his pro debut, 25-year old Juan Diaz, 34-1 (17), 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.

Golden Boy Promotions is pleased to announce that tickets for this clash of boxing superstars will go on sale on Friday, January 9th, at 10 am CT and are priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25. They are available for purchase, online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and select Houston area Randalls locations. Tickets will be available at the Toyota Center Box Office starting Monday, January 12th at 9 am CT.

Marquez vs. Diaz, a 12 round bout for Marquez' Ring Magazine World Lightweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines.

The world title bout will take place on February 28th from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas and be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT.

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