"The fight fans can expect a very ferocious Joseph Diaz. I'm going to showcase all of my true talent and show the world who Joseph Diaz truly is. I'm going to showcase my speed, my skills, and my power and get this victory over Jayson Velez. If the knockout comes, it comes, but we're ready to go the 10 rounds if it goes the distance. So be ready for an exciting fight," stated featherweight contender Joseph Diaz Jr., who talked about his upcoming clash with Jayson Velez. Check it out!
PC: This is a huge fight for you against Jayson Velez. How has preparation been for this fight?
JD: Preparation has been going really well. This is a big fight for me and a big step up with it being on HBO. I know that this is my time to shine and this is the moment I've been waiting for, so I'm very excited and honored and I'm 110% ready to go! I'm ready!
PC: He's a hell of an opponent. Have you focused your attention on what he's good at or more so on what you're good at and bringing your best?
JD: You know what? I know Jayson Velez is a tough opponent and he's going to come ready. There is a lot at stake for both of us. Jayson Velez is a contender at my weight and he just lost his last fight, so I know that he wants to bounce back so that he could be competing for a world championship soon. And for me, I'm a young, up-and-coming prospect and I want to show everybody that I am the next big thing in boxing, so there is a lot at stake for this fight. I watched a couple videos of him and I watched when he fought Ronny Rios, but I can't really go by those other fights because he might come in with a different game plan and a different strategy. I plan on feeling him out for the first couple of rounds and go from there. I'm able to adapt. We're ready for him. I know he's tall and rangy. We're ready if he wants to move around and we're ready if he wants to bang on the inside.
PC: I actually looked up the record of your last 5 opponents and its impressive; 100 wins against only 22 losses. Is this the pace you want to be at? Why such tough competition for you on the way up?
JD: Yes, my last 5 did have 100 wins and only 22 losses and I do want to be on that fast track as far as opponents. The reason why is I don't want to fight any guys with negative records and guys that I know I'm going to take out right away because I want to learn. When I'm in the ring, I want to learn and keep getting that experience and that knowledge in there. And fighting guys that are veterans and who have all that ring experience, I'm going to gain all of that knowledge. And the reason why I want to gain all of that knowledge is because when I do get in there with world-class fighters and elite fighters, I know that I'll be ready because I had the proper training and the proper fights and I know I will be ready to compete with those guys. I would have gained all of that experience in the ring against tough opponents.
PC: I think I interviewed you before your pro debut, so we go back a ways. Have your 19 fights gone by as quickly for you as they have for me? It's crazy how time flies.
JD: Absolutely man! 3 years flew by real fast. This trip has been incredible so far. I'm already 19-0. Golden Boy Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya is doing a tremendous job with me keeping me busy and keeping me active. This is my third year and I already have 19 fights. That's very rare to see and it's a blessing. I always want to keep busy because I'm always in the gym. I'm a gym rat, so might as well keep on fighting and getting that experience and exposure.
PC: You have shown that you have tremendous heart and you have already had to dig deep in fights. Are you expecting that type of fight or do you think you will have to set traps and make him walk into something?
JD: It's 50/50. I still have to see what Jayson Velez is going to bring. I don't know what Jayson Velez is going to come to the ring on March 26th. I don't know if it's the guy that's going to want to come across the ring aggressive and want to bang, because he does like to exchange punches. I don't know if he's going to be that one or when he fought Gradovich where he used his jab and his angles and stuff like that. I gotta see what he brings to the table. If he wants to be an aggressive guy, then I'm willing to stick it out there and just go toe to toe with the guy because I want to give fight fans a great fight and I want to show everybody that I am the next big thing. I want to make a statement in this fight because I am fighting on HBO for the first time. This is the big stage and I want to make a statement, so I'm going to be ready for whatever Jayson Velez brings to the table. But if he wants to move around, I am going to eventually get to him and start breaking him down with some body shots and landing some affective shots. So I just have to break him down and see what he brings to the table.
PC: I just mentioned your resume, level of opposition you have faced, and the tough fights you have already been in. What do you think will eventually separate you from the pack in the division?
JD: I think what's going to separate me is I'm a Mexican-American, I'm very outgoing, I'm very talented, and I wanna give back to the community. I want to be a positive role model for all the youth and I want to inspire them and let them know that dreams do come true. And also I feel like I'm going to be fighting top opponents throughout my whole career. Jayson Velez is a very tough contender who I will be competing against on March 26th, but after that fight, I don't want to fight a guy with a lot of losses. I want to fight a one loss guy or an undefeated guy after Velez. I want to keep on striving and keep on fighting guys like that to showcase to the fans that I am the real deal and I want to fight the best and I want to be the best. I want to take out the best because I want to be #1 at 126 pounds.
PC: I feel the Olympics is the biggest stage of them all, but as a professional, this is a very big stage for you fighting on HBO for the first time. Is it important to treat this like a regular fight or do you somewhat want the pressure of knowing this fight is on HBO and everything that comes with that?
JD: I just have to stick to my game plan and stick to my craft and what I have done my entire career. I fought in the Olympics and that was a really big stage. I believe we had 20,000 people there watching live and millions of people watching on TV, so I'm used to that stage already. I've been there already, so there won't be any jitters. I may have little butterflies on the way to the ring, but once the bell rings, all of that goes away. I also got a lot of experience as a professional fighting on the Canelo-Kirkland card when he fought in Houston, Texas. There was 40,000 people there and I was actually the co-main event on that card. I feel like I'm ready for this big stage. I'm just going to go in there and have a vision and make sure that Jayson Velez is the only person that I'm looking at and that I'm focused on. The only people that I will hear is my father and Ben Lira giving me the right instructions to defeat this guy.
PC: I'm sure it's rewarding being on a card with not just one of the best fighters in the world in Andre Ward, but a fellow Olympian and the last male Gold Medal winner.
JD: Oh, absolutely! I never thought that I would fight on a card with Andre Ward, a Gold Medalist and Olympian as well. This is a great card for the fight fans. You have 2 former Olympians on the card and it's going to be a very exciting card. I'm very excited to fight on the same card with Andre Ward because I looked up to him, even as a little kid. I wanted to go to the Olympics and win a Gold Medal like him because he was the last one to win a Gold Medal. He is my role model and just to know that I am the co-main event on his card is a true blessing.
PC: What can fans expect on Saturday night from you Jo Jo?
JD: The fight fans can expect a very ferocious Joseph Diaz. I'm going to showcase all of my true talent and show the world who Joseph Diaz truly is. I'm going to showcase my speed, my skills, and my power and get this victory over Jayson Velez. If the knockout comes, it comes, but we're ready to go the 10 rounds if it goes the distance. So be ready for an exciting fight. I know Jayson Velez is going to be 110% ready. I know he's going to give his all and I'm going to give my all and it's going to be fireworks.
PC: I look forward to this fight. Best of luck to you and we will speak afterwards. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?
JD: Nothing man. I just want to say thank you for your time again. I really appreciate you giving me this interview and it's always good talking to you, man, and catching up.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]