HBO Boxing: Houston Hits Boiling Pouint For Juan Diaz vs. Michael Katsidis Tonight

Fighting words were flying at today’s final press conference for the highly anticipated doubleheader featuring Houston’s former Three Time World Champion, Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz against Australian warrior Michael “The Great” Katsidis and Houston native and 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Rocky Juarez against former Junior Lightweight World Champion Jorge “La Hiena” Barrios.

Rocky Juarez: “When my managers asked me if I wanted to take the fight with Jorge Barrios, I said ‘Hell yes!’ I’ve been looking forward to this fight for a while and have trained really hard. I am prepared for Saturday night and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jorge Barrios: “After this fight got cancelled and rescheduled s many times, I’m glad it’s finally taking place on Saturday. I’m coming here to fight in Rocky’s hometown but it doesn’t bother me. Rocky’s family can be the judges if he wants, because I’m still gonna beat him.

“After I get through with him, I hear Steven Speilberg is making a new Peter Pan movie and he (Juarez) can play the part of Tinkerbell. I’m going to knock him out in the fourth round, no problem. If any one wants to bet me, come see me.”

Michael Katsidis: “It’s gonna be a great fight because both of us give more than 110% and it’s one of those fights where one of us could get seriously injured. I have given my heart and soul into preparing for this fight. I have done the work to prepare.”

Juan Diaz: “It’s not even Saturday night and I’m already excited. When they mention this fight, I get goose bumps all over. I feel like a new man and I’m completely prepared mentally and physically this time. I want to thank all of my fans for their love and support coming off of my loss; they have not lost faith in me.

“On Saturday night, I want all of the parents to bring their kids to the fight so they can see what it looks like to see dreams come true. My family came from Mexico as immigrants with nothing and now I’m here, a former world champion and only six classes away from graduating form the University of Houston with my bachelor’s in Political Science; this is what dreams are made of.”

The contestants all made weight ahead of tonight’s exciting clashes.

IBO Lightweight Title
Juan Diaz: 134.5 lb
Michael Katsidis: 134.lb

WBO Latino Junior Lightweight Title
Jorge Barrios: 130 lb
Rocky Juarez: 130 lb

Jesus Chavez: 134 lb
Andres Ledesma: 133.75 lb

Always considered one of the top boxing cities in the world, Houston, Texas has again delivered with its enthusiastic response to Saturday’s doubleheader at the Toyota Center, putting the card featuring hometown heroes Juan Diaz and Rocky Juarez in pivotal bouts against Michael Katsidis and Jorge Rodrigo Barrios, on track to become one of the biggest boxing events ever in Houston.

“I’m grateful for the response to this card and these fighters as it shows the loyalty of the Houston fans not only to their fighters, but also to the sport of boxing,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “We couldn’t be happier with how ticket sales have gone, and we’re looking forward to a great event on Saturday.”

Houston has been known as a fight town for years, with the legendary Muhammad Ali fighting and winning four times in Texas’ largest city over Cleveland Williams, Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis and Buster Mathis. In 1981, Houston played host to separate cards featuring Hall of Famers Sugar Ray Leonard (vs. Ayub Kalule) and Salvador Sanchez (vs. Pat Cowdell), and in 1982, another Hall of Famer, former Heavyweight Champion Larry Holmes, defended his crown against Randall “Tex” Cobb.

In recent years, Diaz has made a name for himself at home with seven wins in Houston, including his World Lightweight Championship victory over Lakva Sim in 2004. Likewise, Juarez, a 2000 Olympic Silver medalist, has met great success at home, winning all seven of his bouts here.

As Diaz and Juarez will be tested like never before on Saturday, the fans of Houston will be out in full force to support them in the first ever boxing event to be held in the Toyota Center, the home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

Tickets for “Houston Super Fight Night” – Diaz vs. Katsidis and Juarez vs. Barrios, priced at $200, $100, $60, $40 and $25, are on sale and available for purchase, at the Toyota Center Box Office, online at www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and select Houston area Randalls locations.

“Houston Super Fight Night” – the doubleheader featuring Diaz vs. Katsidis, in a scheduled 12 round IBO Lightweight Championship bout as the main attraction and Juarez vs. Barrios, in a 12 round WBO Latino Junior Lightweight co-feature bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, Amigo Energy and Dewalt Tools with Diaz vs. Katsidis being presented in association with Northeast Promotions. The bouts will air live on HBO’s Boxing After Dark beginning at 10:15 p.m. ET / PT, 9:15 p.m. CT. Doors for the evening’s event will open at 6:00 p.m. with a first fight time of 6:05 p.m.