Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz passed his first test in the lightweight division Friday night with flying colors when he faced a dangerous, hard-punching opponent in Javier Fortuna. Diaz proved he could both absorb the punishment dealt by an established 135-pound fighter and carry his power into the division.
The victory did not come without adversity for Diaz. Fortuna is known for rough tactics inside the ring, and he did not fail to live up to his reputation.
Both left-handers sized each other up in the opening moments of the fight. Fortuna scored well with a left hand during an exchange late in the round. Referee Raul Caiz Jr. warned Fortuna about hitting behind the head in the third. Diaz also suffered a cut from an accidental headbutt in the third round.
Raul Caiz Jr. needed to step in once more in the fourth round. This time, he took a point away from Diaz for hitting behind the head. The heated action went back and forth until Diaz began to take control of the fight. f
Diaz grew stronger in the later rounds of the fight and earned a competitive unanimous decision over Fortuna. The final scorecards read 117-110, 116-111, 115-112.
“Fortuna was a warrior,” Diaz, now 32-1-1 as a professional, showed respect for his opponent in the moments after the fight. “I wish him the best.”
Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz hopes his performance will land him a big fight with one of the stars in the lightweight division. The targets include Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez, Ryan Garcia, and Devin Haney. He may find it easier to land a fight with Haney and Garcia since the three of them fight on DAZN.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya commended Diaz for showing heart and courage during his 135-pound debut. “He did a great job,” De La Hoya commented. He also fought a guy who has been “avoided for years.”