Avila Perspective, Chap. 273: Jojo Diaz, O’Shaquie Foster and More

It’s the third crusade for Jojo Diaz who seeks to capture a third division world title and starts his quest this week.

Diaz (33-4-1, 15 KOs) faces Jesus Perez Campos (24-5, 18 KOs) on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif. The Golden Boy Promotions card will be streamed live on DAZN. The South El Monte fighter seeks a super lightweight world title.

Despite Diaz losing three of his last four fights, two were against undefeated fighters including world champion Devin Haney, and another was a razor-close match to top contender Mercito Gesta.

No shame losing to competition like that.

The former featherweight and super featherweight world titlist is now in search of a super lightweight title.

“I’m truly grateful for all the adversity I’ve been through, all the ups and downs,” said Diaz on social media. “If I wouldn’t have gone through all those trials and tribulations, I wouldn’t be as knowledgeable as I am now.”

The US Olympian of 2012 has rallied more than once after defeat to capture world titles. Now he’s ensconced in perhaps the most vibrant weight division in all of pro boxing: the 140-pound limit super lightweights.

Golden Boy’s roster features several  top super lightweight contenders such as Arnold Barboza, Jose Carlos Ramirez and Ryan Garcia. A win by Diaz could easily lead to top matches against any of these fighters or others.

But first, Diaz must overcome Perez.

“A win over Jojo Diaz would open up many great opportunities,” said Perez, a knockout puncher from Tijuana, Mexico. “It’s going to be a war.”

Promoter Oscar De La Hoya believes in Diaz’s chances.

“Throughout his career Jojo has defied the odds,” said De La Hoya.

Also on the Golden Boy promotions card will be newly signed flyweight contender Ricardo Sandoval who fights out of the Inland Empire area in Southern California. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Friday in New York

A battle for the super featherweight title pits WBC titlist O’Shaquie Foster (21-2, 12 KOs) versus New York’s Abraham Nova (23-1, 16 KOs) in the main event on Friday, Feb. 16, at Madison Square Garden.

ESPN will televise the Top Rank card.

The champion Foster is coming off one of the top Fight of the Year candidates of 2023 when he knocked out Mexico’s Rocky Hernandez in the last round this past October. It showed that Foster was more than just a high-quality boxer in gutting out 12 rounds in a spectacular fight.

“We’ve been calling out Nova for years. He knows it. His excuse was that my name wasn’t big enough. Funny how the tables turn. I’m ready, and I’m familiar with his style,” said Foster.

Nova is no Petunia.

The upper New York prizefighter from Puerto Rico knocked off former world champion Jonathan “Momo” Romero in three rounds last summer. It was only the second defeat for the Colombian and put Nova’s name as a top contender.

“Fighting for a world title is a dream come true. I can’t let this opportunity slip by. I’ve wanted this for so long. Now I have this opportunity. So, I’m super excited and super motivated,” said Nova.

Don’t miss this fight.

Also on the card will be another super featherweight contest featuring Puerto Rico’s Bryan Chevalier (20-1-1, 16 KOs) versus Las Vegas’ undefeated Andres Cortes (20-0, 11 KOs). Perhaps the winner gets a shot at the WBC title.

Running or Fighting

Fans are still debating last week’s result following Teofimo Lopez’s win over Jamaine Ortiz.

Boxers like Tim Bradley, Sergio Mora and others insisted Ortiz won the fight with a moving style that prevented few punches landed by either fighter over 12 rounds. Not to denigrate Bradley or Mora, but that fight was more than boring and it’s the reason judges do not give credit to this non-contact style.

Prizefighting is not amateur boxing. It’s the hurting sport.

Professional boxing is about entertaining, not about frustrating. If all champions fought like Ortiz the sport would truly be dead. Few if any would purchase $1000 dollar tickets to witness fights of this type.

Think about it.

Champions that employ a running style like Ortiz are like poison to the sport. They show up once in an era and are gone with a whisper never to be seen again. The majority of fans do not like this slap fighting style.

Judges seldom reward this avoidance style because they know it will kill the sport. Teofimo Lopez was the champion and Ortiz seldom landed a blow with forceful intentions. They were touches not punches. Those count in amateur boxing but not in prizefighting.

Using angles defensively is not the same as running at full flight. Ortiz was guilty of running and seldom attempting to take the title from the champion. If you want to kill pro boxing keep saying Ortiz won.

Fights to Watch (all times Pacific Time)

Thurs. DAZN 6 p.m. Jojo Diaz (33-4-1) vs Jesus Perez Campos (24-5).

Fri. ESPN 6 p.m. O’Shaquie Foster (21-2) vs Abraham Nova (23-1).

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