The new WBC interim lightweight champion Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz (31-1-1, 15KOs) was on the works to face former interim champion, Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18KOs), on 27th November in Los Angeles, with the winner getting to face WBC’s lightweight world champion Devin Haney. Unfortunately, in the wake of Garcia pulling out of the fight citing a hand injury, Diaz was left without a fight, but the southpaw has made a promise- to directly face Haney and that too this December.
Ryan Garcia remained WBC’s interim lightweight champion almost for the first half of 2021, since winning it against Luke Campbell on 2nd January. However, due to inactivity away from the ring as a result of his struggle with mental health, ‘King Ryan’ lost his interim status in May and the vacant belt was contested by Javier Fortuna and JoJo Diaz, with the latter becoming the new interim status on 9th July.
However, after they were announced to face each other on 27th November, along with the WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman revealing that the winner of Ryan Garcia vs JoJo Diaz would have become mandatory for Devin Haney or they would lose their interim status, ‘King Ryan’ sustained an injury in his right hand and needs to undergo surgery on the bone and cartilage, which is set to keep him away from the ring for the rest of 2021.
JoJo Diaz wants to five Devin Haney his ‘first L’, Eddie Hearn proposes Dec 4 as fight date
Despite the Garcia fight getting called off, JoJo Diaz doesn’t plan on waiting on him to recover, the interim champ is eager to engage in a squaring off contest against Haney directly in December and also vows to give the undefeated champion his first professional career defeat.
“Imma fight Devin Haney in December y’all I promise. Like Ryan Garcia he hasn’t been tested and I’ll give Devin his first L,” Diaz tweeted.
Imma fight Devin Haney in December y’all I promise. Like Ryan Garcia he hasn’t been tested and I’ll give Devin his first L.
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) October 17, 2021
Meanwhile, Matchroom MD Eddie Hearn proposed 4th December as an ideal date for Haney vs Diaz, as well as addressing the latter that “You’re gonna look real bad if you don’t accept this offer. The only way you wouldn’t do it is if you don’t believe you would beat him.” [H/T DAZN]
Highlights:
- JoJo Diaz wants to face WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney in December this year, Eddie Hearn targets 4th December
- The WBC interim lightweight champion was scheduled to take on Ryan Garcia on 27th November in Los Angeles
- The fight had been called off after Garcia injured his right hand
