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After two unsuccessful attempts to obtain a world title, Puerto Rican fighter Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz will face former world champion Isaac Dogboe – which Diaz views as a big opportunity to get back on track towards the big leagues of boxing.
Both will meet this coming November 20 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, as part of the card in which Terence Crawford will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title against Shawn Porter on ESPN pay-per-view.
It will be a 10-round featherweight bout and Dogboe’s 126-pound North American Boxing Federation (NABF) title will be at stake.
“It is a fight that makes my way to the world title easier. Dogboe is one of the top rated boxers that Top Rank has….. not only in the WBO, but also in the WBC. It is a great opportunity and it is there. I have to take it and I think I have all the necessary tools to defeat him,” Diaz (26-3-16 KO’s) told Sara Hernandez.
Dogboe appears at number three on the WBO’s rankings and ninth on the WBC. He enters the ring a 22-2 record with 15 knockouts – with both defeats coming at the hands of current WBO featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.
Diaz himself tried to captured the belt from Navarrete back in April, but suffered a stoppage loss
“I came to the big leagues to stay in the big leagues. I don’t like to take ‘stay-busy fights’, whether it’s soft or hard. I like to fight the best of my weight. This is a dream that I had and fulfilled, and here I am in the big leagues to face the best,” Diaz said.
“After the Navarrete fight, within two weeks I was back in the gym. A defeat does not define the future of my daughters or mine. I think I have been quite responsible in preparing for the November 20 to come away with my hand up. I have had strong opponents. You have to keep working hard. I think a loss is normal in a career and this is another fight.
“[Dogboe] is a fierce fighter, who comes to fight. But I will have no problems. I’ve fought much better boxers than Dogboe, like two-time world champion Shakur Stevenson, as well as two-time champion Emanuel Navarrete, Masayuki Ito … I’m ready for whatever Dogboe has.”