[Wallet]

Amir Khan is scheduled to return April 27th in the UK. There have been rumors that certain opponents have turned down the chance to fight Khan is his native country. One fighter who has not turned down the offer was Julio Diaz.

Diaz was a guest on ThaBoxingVoice Radio Show last night and basically stated that the fight is a go with the only part required is Khan's signature. "Yes so far from what I've heard that's what the plans are. I'd have to go to 143 to fight at that weight. As of now, my contract is signed and sent in and we already agreed upon a deal and everything looks secure. So now we're just waiting for some sort of confirmation from the Khan Camp. So we're just waiting on the Khan Camp," Diaz told ThaBoxingVoice.

Julio Diaz, the brother of Tim Bradley's trainer Joel, doesn't see the weight as being an issue and with time feels he could make it comfortably.

"At 147, I felt comfortable and I said I wouldn't go down but for an Amir Khan fight I would put in the extra effort to do that. I came in 146 in my last fight and I felt comfortable and its only 3 more pounds and I'll do that for an Amir Khan fight."

Dropping down in weight and going into enemy territory might not have been the ideal situation for Diaz but he understands that he is in no shape or status to make demands.

"I requested 147 then 145 but I'm not in a position to negotiate or to demand too much. Not to sound desperate, I'm just pushing for someone to let me in the doors. He said he wants to fight in his hometown and to fight at 143. Whatever he demands, I'm a have to go with it because he's giving me the opportunity."

If and when the fight is made, Diaz knows he will be the underdog but he definitely feels he has a puncher's chance. "I'm a heavy hitter that will trouble Khan. I don't think he'll be able to take my punch. Shawn Porter was my warm up fight. Khan has a lot of weaknesses, he can't take a punch. My plan would be to make it a brawl," explained Diaz.

Diaz spoke of his last two fights in recent memory that resonates with the U.S. fans. The first fight was the knockout loss to Kendall Holt at 140 lbs and the other, the draw with Porter at 147 lbs. Regarding the Porter fight, Diaz stated, "It was a draw in a fight that he was supposed to win and I thought I won the fight because if he would have clearly won the fight, I don't think they would have ruled it a draw. I felt comfortable in that fight and I had no issues in the weight and I knew I could beat him. I didn't come to be a stepping stone and I won't be for the Khan fight.

As far as the Holt fight, he explained, "It was a weight issue from the beginning. I had problems making weight. I declined that fight 3 or 4 fights but I had no other option at the time so I had to take it. But my body at that weight would not take a punch well."

Even though the chances of him landing the fight look good, you never know in boxing. Diaz would be prepared to go another route if given the chance.

"If not Khan, we want Josesito Lopez, Humberto Soto, both guys coming back from a loss or one fight removed from one, and both guys that would make good fights."

For Full Audio of this interview click here: http://thaboxingvoice.com/jesse-james-leija-joe-cortez-julio-diaz-plus-weekend-recap/10459

 

[Roe]

Didn't even realise he was still boxing. Not a great matchup but Khan could probably do with a couple of "easier" fights like this. And I expect Diaz would come to win so should be entertaining at least.

 

[w;dkm ckeqfjq c]

Decent pop and timing. Khan should beat him but Diaz could potentially cause an upset.

 

[Chatty]

Not the greatest fight but Diaz looked alright against Porter at the back end of next year. I'm sure Prescott would have fought him over here though and that fight would have sold better than this and offered a chance to redeem a loss. At this point I think team Khan are just scared in case he puts him out cold again. That fight makes more sense than any other b-level fight out there at present.

 

[JamieC]

Not the greatest fight but Diaz looked alright against Porter at the back end of next year. I'm sure Prescott would have fought him over here though and that fight would have sold better than this and offered a chance to redeem a loss. At this point I think team Khan are just scared in case he puts him out cold again. That fight makes more sense than any other b-level fight out there at present.

I have always said the Prescott fight should be made, even before the Garcia bout, Prescott has hung around at fringe world level, plus it would sell better than your McCloskeys or your Diaz's, it just makes business sense for me

 

[Chatty]

I have always said the Prescott fight should be made, even before the Garcia bout, Prescott has hung around at fringe world level, plus it would sell better than your McCloskeys or your Diaz's, it just makes business sense for me

I agree, the generals wont pay (or watch) to see him fight a guy they have never heard of whereas it would draw them in if he was fighting someone who knocked him out in a round. Whether its to watch him get revenge or watch him get splattered again, they'll still watch.

I just think they know if Prescott flattens him again its kills him as a marquee name. I suppose at least with Garcia its a big world level fight. That said if Diaz splatters him, its over as well.

 

[JamieC]

I agree, the generals wont pay (or watch) to see him fight a guy they have never heard of whereas it would draw them in if he was fighting someone who knocked him out in a round. Whether its to watch him get revenge or watch him get splattered again, they'll still watch.

I just think they know if Prescott flattens him again its kills him as a marquee name. I suppose at least with Garcia its a big world level fight. That said if Diaz splatters him, its over as well.

Basically one more KO loss and it's a really hard road back unless it's to a Mayweather/Marquez big name imo, so why not have a road to redemption with Prescott then Peterson and culminate with Garcia for the undisputed title? (assuming Matthysse hasnt got there first) Makes it marketable to everyone, plus it helps his reputation should he get revenge etc, just makes sense

 

[allenko1]

this is more like it. knew it wouldn't be josesito lopez or anyone that could be a true threat. Diaz is a good name, and should have gotten the decision against porter. he is not going beat amir khan if khan cares even a little bit...

 

[Earl-Hickey]

This is the sort of fight Khan needs right now so I won't argue with it, there is some small risk but Khan should win and hunter teach him one or two little touches, slowly slowly for Khan.

 

[Wallet]

Gabriel Montoya™ ‏@Gabriel_Montoya
Amir Khan vs Julio Diaz April 27 at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena will be announced later today (UK time) I am told. #boxing

 

[JamieC]

Gabriel Montoya™ ‏@Gabriel_Montoya
Amir Khan vs Julio Diaz April 27 at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena will be announced later today (UK time) I am told. #boxing

Sheffield? Strange choice of venue imo

 

[Roe]

Yeah, Sheffield seems a strange place. Is this gonna be Golden Boy's first proper UK show then?

 

[Vano-irons]

Sheffield is a strange place to have this. Most ok the crowd will be Brook fans

 

[Danny]

Sheffield? :huh

GBPDKSBPBITUK.

 

[JamieC]

Sheffield is a strange place to have this. Most ok the crowd will be Brook fans

My first thought, do they have options on Brook if he beats Alexander? But then they hardly need to expose the Sheffield crowd to Khan, this match is already built up

 

[Wallet]

do they have options on Brook if he beats Alexander?

Nah.

 

[JamieC]

Nah.

cheers mate :good wouldnt have thought Matchroom would allow that, just thought id double check

 

[Vano-irons]

Im hearing that Jamie McDonnell vs Julio Ceja could be the main support, with plenty of local lads on the card (hence the reason its at the Motorpoint arena)

 

[JamieC]

Wilder vs Towers :deal

 

[adamcanavan]

Wilder vs Towers :deal

that would be quite a good fight to make, a bit of a risk on both sides though.