Jean Pascal was a guest on Thaboxingvoice.com last week and he spoke about the acquisition of Joel Diaz Jr. to his promotional company. Diaz Jr. (16-0, 12KOs) is a junior lightweight prospect with a fan friendly style and a seemingly bright future in boxing. Pascal co-promotes Diaz Jr. with Lou DiBella and he discussed on air just how impressed he is with the young fighter from Palmdale, California.
“I need to thank Lou because he helped me a lot with my first show and he gave me a great opportunity to co-sign together a real great prospect in Joel Diaz Jr. I’m telling you guys that kid is 18yrs old and he is going to become world champion very soon,” Pascal said of Diaz Jr.
The conversation with Pascal revolved mostly around his new venture in promoting. His first event took place only a few weeks ago and it featured Diaz Jr. winning a 10 round unanimous decision over Tyler Asselstine in the main event of ShowTime’s Friday boxing program ShoBox: The Next Generation.
In our conversation with Pascal he spoke candidly about his goals as a promoter and the kind of things he wants to implement into that world. He knows firsthand just how difficult the decisions outside of the ring can be on a young up and comer and he wants the opportunity to bridge that gap between fighter and promoter by using his experience to guide the fighters signed to Jean Pascal Promotions.
Joel Diaz Jr. is one of those young fighters he’s looking to guide. Diaz represents the kind of fighter that Pascal can help by using his personal experience in the sport.
“I told Joel Diaz ‘I know your fears, I know it’s scary to sign with someone but I know what you feel and I know what you’re going through because I’ve been there and done that’ and any fighter that signs with me is going to be in good hands,” Pascal said.
Pascal has high aspirations for Diaz Jr. and already laid out a game plan for the remainder of the year.
“He should be back in the ring probably in July and definitely if in July things are good then I want to put him on my show in September. He’s going to be able to see a big crowd on a big show, that’s important because we are targeting a world title shot in 2015 or early 2016.”
Using Diaz on the undercard of an event headlined by Pascal is a great move. But Pascal plans on helping Diaz Jr. with more than promotional ploys. Pascal intends on coordinating his next camp with Diaz Jr.
“My next camp will probably be in Big Bear, [Diaz] trains over there with a good coach, Able Sanchez, so we’ll be together pretty soon.
Pascal mentioned that he plans on once again utilizing Roy Jones Jr. in his camp for his next fight, roughly scheduled for September 27th. It stands to reason that if Jones Jr. is helping Pascal prepare for his fight and the date of his fight and the location of the camp correlate with Diaz Jr. then perhaps Diaz Jr. can benefit from that experience as well.
“I spoke to [Roy Jones Jr.] and he said he would love to come to the next camp. Everybody knows that was my idol when I was young and now he’s training me and staying with me in camp so that is a very big honor for me,” Pascal said.
