Local rising stars Joseph Diaz Jr., Julian Ramirez, Diego De La Hoya and Roy Tapia, as well as seven-foot tall international sensation Taishan, held a media workout at Ponce De Leon Boxing Club in Montebello, Calif. in advance of their bouts at Fantasy Spring Resort Casino this Thursday night on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.
Here is what each of the fighters had to say about their respective bouts:
JOSEPH DIAZ JR., Undefeated Featherweight Rising Star
“I’m very excited to be on this great card on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes as the main event. The whole card features future stars, so I’m excited to be back at Fantasy Springs.
“I know that my opponent is very tough, but that’s what I want to show everyone; that I’m fighting tough opponents. I’m going to be aggressive on Thursday because that’s what fight fans want to see.
“Thanks to Golden Boy Promotions I’ve been staying busy and active throughout 2014. In 2015, I would like six or seven fights and to continue fighting tough opponents.”
JULIAN RAMIREZ, Undefeated Featherweight Rising Star
“I’m ready for Thursday. Hopefully the knockout comes, but I won’t force anything, if it comes it comes. I’m going to give it my all Thursday. I just want to please the crowd and give everyone a great show.
“All I know about Pedro Melo is that he’s good. He’s a boxer and has a good jab, so I’m ready for that and for anything he brings.
“It’s been a good year for me, it’s my fourth fight, so I’m staying active and getting the wins. I’m fighting at 10-rounds now and winning.
On his weight class: “I think Guillermo Rigondeux is the best and most skilled in my weight-class. Lomachenko is also one of my favorites, but he needs to be more aggressive in my opinion. I also look up to Jhonny Gonzalez, Abner Mares and Leo Santa Cruz. I want to be up there with all of them.”
DIEGO DE LA HOYA, Undefeated Featherweight Prospect
“I’m well prepared. Training camp has gone great and the most important thing is that I’ve got a winning mentality. I’m just waiting for Thursday to come.
“I’m very happy about this year because I’ve kept very busy. Golden Boy Promotions has done a good job at getting me fights often, so I’m staying active.
“I’m very excited to fight at Fantasy Springs again, especially because my fans and family from Mexicali will be there to cheer me on.”
ROY TAPIA, Junior Featherweight Prospect
“On Thursday my plan is to work the body as much as I can. This camp has been the best one yet. I’ve been at 100 percent because I started when Jesus Cuellar and Juan Manuel Lopez were in camp, so I was able to spar with Cuellar. I’m on weight for Thursday and ready to go.
“On Thursday expect a lot of head movement and aggressiveness. I’ll be working the body a lot. Like a pit bull, once I got them I won’t let them go.
“I’m very grateful to Golden Boy Promotions. I hope they and the fans love my crazy style and that I work my way up to fighting on TV.”
TAISHAN, Undefeated Heavyweight Prospect
“Training has gone very well. I feel confident with my new coach, Buddy McGirt, and I feel confident with myself.
“I’m very excited about my second professional boxing fight. I’m well prepared and I’m looking forward to it.
“Because of my height and size I hope to bring something different for boxing fans.
On choosing boxing over MMA or wrestling: “I loved boxing and always watched matches in China . But I never had the chance to learn about boxing and become a true student of the sport until I came to the U.S. ”
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“Joseph Diaz Jr. vs. Roberto Castaneda,” a 10-round featherweight bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Golden Ram Group and Mexico – Live It To Believe It!. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the first bell rings at 5:15 p.m. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT. In the co-main event, Julian Ramirez will face Pedro Melo in an eight-round featherweight bout. Diego De La Hoya vs. Ali Gonzalez in a six-round featherweight contest. In the opening televised fight, Taishan will face Tommy Washington in a four-round heavyweight bout.
Also, don’t miss a double header of activities at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino with the Randy Caballero Celebration Victory Partyon Wednesday night from 6:00-8:00 p.m. PT at the LIT Lounge at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino and former World ChampionFernando “Ferocious” Vargas will host a meet and greet with fans in attendance at Thursday’s fight night at the Special Events Center from 6:00-7:00 p.m. PT.
