Boxing News Boxing News
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In one of the most anticipated clashes of the new year, top lightweights Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez will clash for Diaz’s IBO title on February 28 at the Toyota Center in Houston, TX.
David Itskowitch, COO Golden Boy Promotions:
“We are calling this event Supremacy because the winners of both of these two fights will reign supreme in their respective divisions.”
“The mark of a great fight is when you ask 20 people who will win this fight and you have 10 people that say one guy will win and 10 that say the other will win. That’s what we’ve got here with Marquez vs. Diaz.”
“Juan Manuel Marquez’ fights turn into epic battles and go down in the history. You will always get 110% from Juan Manuel.”
“Juan Diaz is one of the best fighters in the world today. When you look at his resume it’s hard to believe that he has accomplished so much at only 25 years old. His boxing ability and experience in the ring are two reasons why this fight against Marquez should be one to remember.”
“I think the 5th time will be the charm for rocky…. I think he is going to do it this time. His last fight was a do or die fight for him and he got it done. It was destiny.”
“I think given the quality of fights that we are doing here at Toyota Center, it could soon become the mecca of boxing in Texas.”
Greg Alvarez, Assistant Program Administrator of Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
“We are happy to be able to host these great fights here in Texas.”
Doug Hall, Vice President & General Manager, Toyota Center
“For those of us that are big sports fans and are under the age of 50, we haven’t had an opportunity to see a live night of world class boxing in cities other than New York and Las Vegas. But the event on February 28th will be night like that here at Toyota Center in Houston.”
“The boxing event here in September far exceeded my expectations so we jumped on the opportunity to host the February 28th card.”
“Live boxing far exceeds what you see on TV, so make sure you come out to Toyota Center on February 28th.”
Eric Gomez, Vice President & Matchmaker, Golden Boy Promotions
“I’m very excited about this fight. It goes to show that what we have here today, even during tough economic times…when you put the best against the best, you will get a turnout.”
“We had a great event in September and you had a little bit of a taste of what it’s like to have a big fight here in Houston and now we are back again to bring bigger fights.”
“You have Juan Manuel who is a legend in Mexico and the best in the 135 pound division right now, and then you have Juan Diaz who is a great fighter and doesn’t duck anyone, he wants to fight the best.”
Ronnie Shields, Diaz’ & Juarez’ Trainer
“In September we told you that Juan and Rocky had tough fights, well these guys are tougher. Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz is a tough fight and the Juarez vs. John fight is even tougher.”
“We know we have our work cut out for us and we’re up for it, Rocky wants to be the best and he has to fight the best. We’ll be prepared and ready and Rocky will be the WBA Featherweight Champion of the world.”
Rocky Juarez, 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist
“It’s an honor to be back here in Houston. This fight against Chris John just came up yesterday because I was originally supposed to fight Steven Luevano and since I beat him twice in the amateurs I was ready for the fight.
“He didn’t want to fight here in Houston and offered me a fight in Puerto Rico, but I took less money to fight for the title in front of my fans here in Houston.”
“The Barrios fight was a great fight to have here in Houston, and to win the way I did it was great. I’m ready to do it again. I want to win the WBA featherweight title and do it here in front of my fans on February 28th.”
Willie Savannah, Diaz’ Manager
“Diaz is excited about fighting the best. It has always brought the best out in him. It seems like he is an old veteran, but he is only 25 and still in school.”
“Toyota Center during the September fight looked like we were in Vegas with over 15,000 fans cheering. After the fight we thought we had to get up and catch a flight home the next morning because we were so excited it felt like Vegas.”
“Thanks to Golden Boy for having the foresight to bring this fight to Houston as we hope this will open the doors to bring other fights to Houston.”
Ronnie Shields, Diaz & Juarez Trainer – On Juan Diaz:
“This is a fight we are really looking forward to. Styles makes fights and we expect a good fight. We are confident that Diaz can and will pull out the win here in Houston.”
“Juan Manuel Marquez has been around for a long time and fought the best. We are happy he is not ducking Diaz and he is going to come here to fight in Houston in our home town.”
“We realize that just because we are in our hometown, we don’t get any special treatment and Juan knows he has to be prepared to fight that night.”
“In order for him to win this fight, it’s going to take a lot of hard work….so come support Juan and Rocky, because this is going to be one hell of a night.”
Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain, Marquez’ Trainer
“Fighters like Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez are big names in the world of boxing.”
“It’s a great card and its going to be in a great city, so go out and get your tickets because it will sell out. It will be a great night of boxing that you don’t want to miss.”
Juan Diaz, former three-time World Champion
“I want to thank God for making my dream come true through all these years. I never imagined this dream coming true like it did.”
“2008 was a bad year at the beginning, but it finished up being a great year. I had my first loss against Nate Campbell and then I came back in September and won a world title back here in Houston.”
“Even in a bad economic crisis, 15,000 people still came to support Rocky and I and it shows how great the people of Houston are.”
“I want to thank the city of Houston because they are here still supporting us and spending the little bit of extra money that they have to come watch our fights. Rocky and I will not take that support for granted. We will fight that night like we have never fought before. We will train hard and make it worth your money. We will win our fights because we are a team and we will push each other everyday to make sure we are working hard.”
“On February 28th Rocky will win his first world title and I will become a five time world champion.”
“I want to thank Juan Manuel for the opportunity to fight him. He is giving me the chance. I needed someone like Juan Manuel to put me back to the top, so that I can say to everyone that I am the best lightweight in the world.”
Juan Manuel Marque, Ring Magazine World Lightweight Champion
“This is my first fight here in Houston and I’m really excited. Everyone knows that Diaz is a great fighter and a great champion.”
“On February 28th I will put my Mexican heart and blood on the line in this fight. I m 35 years old and I feel young, like I’m 25 years old.”
“On September 13th, I fought a great fighter, Joel Casamayor, to win my Ring Magazine Belt. On February 28th I will successfully defend my title here in Houston.”
“I will dedicate this fight to all the Mexican fight fans that live here in Houston.
Marquez vs. Diaz, is the 12 round televised main event for Marquez’ Ring Magazine World Lightweight Championship and John vs. Juarez, a 12 round bout for John’s WBA World Featherweight Championship, is the televised co-feature.
The world title bouts are 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.
Tickets for Marquez vs. Diaz, priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25, go on sale Friday, January 9 at 10 a.m. CT and 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.
