Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (Photograph: Golden Boy Promotions)
A crossroads conflict between junior welterweight contenders is coming our method.
Oscar Duarte and Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz, Jr. will sq. off on April 27, Golden Boy Promotions introduced Friday. The ten-round bout will happen on the Save Mart Heart in Fresno, California.
The combat will probably be included on the cardboard that includes former world unified junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramirez of Fresno dealing with Rances Barthelemy and unbeaten junior middleweight contender Vergil Ortiz squaring off in opposition to Thomas Dulorme.
All fights will stream stay on DAZN (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
Duarte (26-2-1, 21 knockouts), who resides in Parral, Chihuahua, final fought on December 9, dropping by knockout to contender Ryan Garcia in spherical eight. The loss to Garcia snapped a string of 11 victories since a split-decision loss to Adrian Estrella in February 2019.
The 28-year-old has gathered latest victories over fringe contenders Mark Bernaldez, Alex Martin, and D’Angelo Keyes.
Duarte had fought most of his profession as a light-weight. He weighed in at 142.75 kilos for the Garcia combat.
Diaz (33-5-1, 15 KOs), who now resides within the Los Angeles suburb of Downey, misplaced by split-decision in his final combat to Jesus Perez on February 15. In his earlier combat on July 8, Diaz defeated Jerry Perez by unanimous determination.
In January 2020, Diaz received the IBF world junior light-weight title, defeating Tevin Farmer by unanimous determination. Over a 12 months later, Diaz can be stripped of the title for failing to make weight for his conflict in opposition to Shatkatdzhon Rakhimov, which might finish in a majority determination draw.
The 31-year-old would lose by determination to then-WBC light-weight world titleholder Devin Haney and to light-weight contender William Zepeda.
Rounding out the DAZN stream, Ring flyweight champion and unified world titleholder Marlen Esparza (14-1, 1 KO) of Houston, Texas will sq. off in opposition to Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz in a 10-round rematch.
Earlier within the night time, unbeaten welterweight Raul Curiel (14-0, 12 KOs) of Guadalajara, Mexico will face Jorge Marron (20-4-2, 7 KOs) of Lakeside, California in a 10-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached at [email protected]
