Devin Haney v JoJo Diaz

[Master]

JOJO DIAZ has been left inspired by George Kambosos Jr's heroics - and will use it as motivation to land an undisputed title fight with him.

Kambosos beat the odds and Teofimo Lopez at the same time last weekend in New York, winning the WBA, IBF, WBO and WBC 'Franchise' belts.

The only missing jewel to officially become undisputed lightweight king is Devin Haney's full WBC title, which Diaz challenges for on Saturday.

The determined American, like Kambosos, is the betting underdog and will use the Australian's performance to inspire an upset of his own.

Diaz, 29, told SunSport: “I’m already motivated due to the fact this is everything I ever dreamed of.

"Fighting in Vegas as the main-event for the WBC lightweight title, broadcast on a primetime network like DAZN.


“This is already everything I ever dreamed of, so that motivation is already there, but to see something like Kambosos win, it’s not shocking as it is boxing.

“But it did give me that extra motivation as I know that anything can happen in boxing and I know that I’ve put in the time and effort.

"God’s going to bless me with the victory.”

Haney, 23, who is promoted by Eddie Hearn, had verbally agreed to put all the titles on the line with Lopez, 23, just days before Kambsos, 28, spoilt the party.

But already, the unbeaten champ has turned his attention to the newly-crowned lightweight ruler, who will be ringside to watch in Las Vegas.

Now, like Kambosos did to Lopez, Diaz plans to throw yet another spanner in the lightweight works and steal not only Haney's title, but the shot at undisputed glory.

He said: “After this fight, I want to challenge Kambosos for the undisputed.

“If everything goes well and I end up looking spectacular, and Kambosos wants to fight and DAZN and Eddie Hearn are with it too, we can make it happen.

“I’ve already seen and witnessed everything that can be thrown at me in the ring and nothing that Devin Haney has to offer is anything new.

“I’m just going to go out there, look spectacular Saturday night by applying a lot of pressure and using my ring generalship, my experience, my boxing tactics.

“But also my speed and power as well. I’m excited to go out there and perform and shock the world and the lightweight division."

Haney never technically won the famous green and gold belt in the ring, instead being elevated from 'interim' champ to the full title.

That came after Vasiliy Lomachenko, 33, was moved to 'Franchise' status, before Lopez's triumph over the Ukrainian in October 2020.

It has led to Haney's rivals levelling accusations of legitimacy against him, one of Diaz's biggest verbal weapons in the build up to their fight.

He said: “I just want to punch him in his face for all the s*** talking he’s been doing.

“I just feel like he made it here the easy way, not the hard way and I want him to pay for that.

“I’m going to do everything possible to try and knock him out, of course, I’m not going to be overwhelming, swinging and look for the knockout.

“I’m going to be fighting smart and fighting defensive and making sure I’m applying the right pressure.

"If the opportunity presents itself when I have him hurt, best believe I’m going for the knockout.”

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/16901...r-devin-haney/

[Spicoli]

Heart is with a refocused matured Diaz, but brain says Haney all night over 12. May even need to grab a pillow with Haney looking ahead to the lottery that is tough Kambosos but this is the spot for Haney to finally put some meat on the bone with Diaz.

[palmerq]

This is a really good match up, perfect proving ground for the young Haney who I think is super talented but even though it was just one fight v a very good but old fighter, Linares did a bit more than just hurt Haney, he nearly had him out of there... Of course Haney deserved the decision but the damage he took towards the end is pretty worrying but luckily for us and him, he gets to go up against a tough in form good fighter to cast away any doubts before he tries to unify...

And of course Haney could just lose..... But I'm backing him to have learned from the Linares fight and take a comfortable UD, it'll be hard work but I think he'll do it.

[palmerq]

Main card has started, big face mark Castro knocks down his opponent in round on, won't last long

[Spicoli]

Not sure about Filip. Big guy strong guy. Wide and flat footed guy too. Somehow he's made it the number 3 for the ibf so he needs to pick it up quick.

[palmerq]

I don't think hrgovic looks that good at all, his jab isn't great and he really gets hits too easily and seems unaware of how to avoid anything :S... Pretty powerful and better than a fair few guys but I doubt he'll have a great career.

[Spicoli]

Montana Love looked top notch last out. Wins biggest fight of career, gets signed by major promotion and then intentionally blows weight by 4 lbs here. This is what makes you root for upsets.