Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz Jr. (33-4-1, 15 KOs) will be taking a badly needed 10-round confidence booster-level fight against little-known Jesus ‘Ricky’ Perez (24-5, 18 KOs) in the main event in the 140-lb division Live on DAZN tonight.
The 31-year-old former IBF super featherweight champion ‘JoJo’ Diaz and Perez will meet at The Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California. Watch live at 6 p.m. ET / 11 p.m. UK
Weights:
JoJo Diaz 137.6 vs Ricky Perez 138.2
Ricardo Sandoval 110.8 vs Jayson Mama 112.4
Eric Tudor 153.2 vs Luis Ramos 153.8
Jorge Chavez 123.6 vs Diuhl Olguin 124
Joshua Garcia 131.2 vs Eric Lozada 130.8
Diaz is rebuilding his career after suffering a string of losses to Devin Haney, Mercito Gesta, and William Zepeda. It’s safe to say that JoJo Diaz Jr. cannot afford to lose to Perez on February 15th because this is someone that he must beat to show the fans that he’s not past his best.
The defeat against Gesta last March was a bitter pill for Diaz to swallow, as he was expected to beat this opponent. However, he ended up being outboxed, outslugged, and out-toughed, losing a ten-round split decision.
Golden Boy Promotions is pulling Diaz Jr. back from fighting top-rung opposition by feeding him Tijuana, Mexico fighter ‘Ricky’ Perez, who has lost five out of his last eight fights.
The 26-year-old Perez is a guy that JoJo Diaz should handle with ease to get back to his winning ways. Diaz needs an impressive performance in this fight to show the fans he’s still a viable threat.
It’s unclear whether Diaz will be campaigning at 140 from this point on or if this is just a one-time thing. JoJo hasn’t looked the same since moving up to 135 in 2021, and he might be better off finding a way back to the 130-lb division rather than moving up to 140, where his lack of power will be even more of a handicap than it already is for him.
“I am excited to let the boxing world know I’m back on track,” said Joseph “JoJo” Diaz. “My comeback continues on February 15. After this, I want all the top guys.”
If Diaz could get a title shot against WBA ‘regular’ lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, that would be ideal, but that’s not realistic due to promotional and network issues. Of course, if JoJo Diaz is going to be fighting at 140, he’ll have to target the champions in that weight class.
Last July, Diaz Jr snapped his two-fight losing streak to defeat Jerry Perez by a ten-round unanimous decision.
