David Diaz: “I’m Ready For Anyone!”

Chicagoland fan favorite, junior welterweight David Diaz, 25-0 (13KO’s) has thrown down the gauntlet to his fellow world ranked lightweights and junior welterweights as he prepares for a hometown clash with heavy handed Colombian veteran, Jaime Rangel, 29-6-1 (25KO’s) as 8 Count Productions and Miller Lite presents the “THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING” “This year (including wins over Emmanuel Augustus and Ener Julio ) has been good for me but 2005 is my year. All these belt holders and their posturing is getting ridiculous. Tszyu is the monster at 140 but anyone else at 140 or 135 I want to fight. Those two guys at 135, Juan Diaz and Julio Diaz, they’ve got my last name but I can beat both of them. Same thing with Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Casamayor at lightweight. Give me a chance and I’ll prove that I’m more than ready” said the confident world ranked junior welterweight after a workout at JABB Boxing Gym.

“At junior welter, I just got done working in Kostya’s camp in Australia for over a month. He’s obviously the best at 140, I learned a lot working with him and he was very complimentary to me about my skills. Other than him, I’m ready for anyone at 140, I’ll go to England to fight Ricky Hatton next month, I’d fight Gatti, Cotto, Mayweather, just tell me where and when to be there.” Speaking about a proposed matchup written about on www.boxingtalk.net about Diego Corrales fighting Kostya Tszyu, Diaz said “look at what he did to Mitchell and Judah. He would walk right through Corrales, he’s just so strong and tough at 140, that’s why you don’t see the other belt-holders at 140 lining up to fight him.”

In regards to his immediate plans, Diaz continued, “Rangel’s a real tough guy, he just came off a very close decision loss to Edner Cherry in Cherry’s hometown so I’m sure he’s coming to Chicago next week to try and knock off my unbeaten record and get his career back on track. After that there’s been talk about a major television fight but I’m not even concerned with that, its all about next Friday night and Rangel at the Aragon for me. I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life and my dream is to be a Chicago champion.” Asked about fighting in Chicago, Diaz finished, “this is my home and the huge crowds at the 8 Count events have always been great to me. I’m in terrific shape and they should expect a great fight from me and Jaime Rangel.”

The newly remodeled Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. near the corner of Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood and is easily accessible, just four blocks west of Lake Shore Drive and just four miles east of the Kennedy expressway. There are three large parking lots located within a half block of the Aragon Ballroom. Additionally, the Howard Street Blue Line stops just across the street. Doors will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm.

The full listing for “THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING” next Friday night,

December 10th at the Aragon Ballroom;

Jorge Gonzalez (pro debut) vs. Corey Budd, junior middleweights, four rounds.