It appears the rumored match-up between Juan Diaz and Omar Figueroa will not come to fruition as sources close to the situation tell Thaboxingvoice.com that Diaz has turned down a reported $100,000 payday to fight the 23 year old from Weslaco, Texas.
Figueroa was informed of the unlikelihood of his proposed match-up with Diaz moments before speaking with Thaboxingvoice.com and he seems less concerned with the identity of his next opponent and more concerned with getting back into the gym as soon as possible.
“They basically told me the fight [with Diaz] wasn’t going to happen, but I’m moving forward. It’s not my decision on who I fight, it’s my job to train and fight whoever my team puts in front of me,” Figueroa said.
Figueroa is still recovering from the hand injuries he suffered in his last outing, a unanimous decision win over Nihito Arakawa in what most consider a candidate for “Fight of the Year.” Figueroa will soon see a specialist in hopes of getting some answers on a possible time table for return.
“The hands are doing all right they’re slowly but surely getting better. They still hurt quite a bit sometimes. I wish I could get back in the gym but I have to wait until my hands are 100% and that is all I’m waiting for,” Figueroa said.
Juan Diaz’s team was unavailable for comment.
