Home/Boxing

via Getty

via Getty

Joseph ‘Jojo’ Diaz is an up-and-coming boxing prospect. Although he is 29-years-old, he is an experienced fighter with just one loss to his name. A title shot has been long overdue for Jojo Diaz, and he finally gets to prove himself. Diaz will be taking on Devin Haney for the WBC lightweight title.

“I’m just going to go out there and do what I’ve got to do to become victorious, not matter what it takes,” Diaz said. “If he wants to try and box, I’m just going to hunt his ass down. If he wants to come and bang, I’m just going to bang it out as well. Whatever he wants to bring to the table, I’m going to bring it.” Ahead of his fight against Devin Haney, let’s take a look at the laurels that Diaz has to his name.

via Getty

Is Joseph Diaz a champion?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Jojo Diaz currently holds the WBC interim lightweight title. However, back in January of 2020, Diaz became the IBF Junior lightweight champion when he beat Tevin Farmer. His childhood dream came true as they wrapped the belt around his waist and announced his name to the crowd as the new champion. However, the joy was short-lived.

In his first title defense, the IBF stripped him of his title as he failed to make weight for his fight. The whole event was very disappointing for Diaz and probably influenced his decision to move up to the lightweight division.

What belts did Joseph Diaz win?

Jojo Diaz has won two belts in his professional boxing career. The first was the IBF junior lightweight title, after his win over Tevin Farmer. The second and the belt he currently holds is the WBC interim lightweight title. He won this belt earlier this year after his decision win over Javier Fortuna. Jojo Diaz then looked to fight Ryan Garcia to defend his interim title.

However, ‘KingRy’ had to pull out of the fight due to an injury to his hand that required surgery and will keep him out for weeks. Haney stepped up to the plate and decided to replace Garcia in the fight.

Also read: Jake Paul’s Team Made Concerning Remarks to a ‘Nice’ Sparring Partner

Joseph Diaz’s upset win over Tevin Farmer for the IBF super featherweight title

Joseph Diaz went into his second title fight, with his lone loss still haunting him. Diaz went into the fight as the underdog and surprised the boxing world. In January 2020, Diaz fought his heart out in Miami to outbox the IBF champion, Tevin Farmer, in a battle that had both fighters leave their all in the ring. At the end of the night, Diaz just looked like the better fighter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Although Farmer hurt his hand in the first round, he did not make any excuses for his loss. “He put up a hell of a fight,” Farmer said. “I did f**k my hand up in the first round. But he put up a hell of a fight, I don’t think that really played a big part in the fight. He got the job done tonight. I couldn’t use my jab how I wanted to use it, but he capitalized on it and that’s what champions do. He won the fight.”

This fight was the one that brought Diaz into the spotlight for the first time. If he manages to pull off a similar upset against the unbeaten champ Haney, he will put the entire division on notice and become champion again.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Where do you think Diaz ranks in the lightweight division? Is he one of the best lightweights?

Watch this story: Gervonta Davis Lavish Lifestyle: Luxurious Cars, Expensive Jewelry, and More