HBO announced Wednesday that the bout to open the telecast of the Andre Ward-Sullivan Barrera event will be an entertaining featherweight brawl between Joseph Diaz Jr. and Jayson Velez. The battle is scheduled for 10 rounds.
“I am excited and very grateful about making my debut on HBO,” Diaz Jr. said in a statement. “HBO is known for putting on the best fights and I feel honored to defend my title for the fight time on the network. Every fighter dreams to fight on a big stage like HBO. I know Jayson Velez is a very tough contender, but I promise not to let my team and my fans down.”
In Velez (23-1-1, 16 KOs), Diaz is expected to have his hands full. The Puerto Rican is coming off his first pro loss this past November where he was edged out by Ronny Rios in Las Vegas via decision. “La Maravilla” holds solid wins over Salvador Sanchez, Dat Nguyen and Daniel Ramirez and is eager to get back on the winning track.
“I am ready and focused for this fight,” said Velez. “After my loss against Ronny Rios, I had to change a lot of things in my training including my corner. I understood that I had to work harder to prove that I still have what it takes to be on the top of the featherweight division. I am very excited to have that opportunity on HBO and against a fighter like Joseph Diaz Jr. I want to challenge myself and fight the best. I know that defeating Diaz Jr. will prove that I am back.”
The event will take place at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, and will be televised live on HBO starting at 9:45 p.m. ET/6:45 p.m. PT.