Days aways from their anticipated 12-round crossroads fight, former IBF Super Featherweight World Champion Joseph “JoJo” Diaz, Jr. (32-2-1, 15 KOs) and undefeated, rising lightweight division star William “El Camarón” Zepeda (26-0, 23 KOs) hosted a press conference in San Diego to promote their clash. Fans can expect these two warriors to put on a show at the Pechanga Arena San Diego this Saturday, Oct. 29 on DAZN beginning at 5:00 p.m. PT.
The Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda undercard fighters also participated in the press conference. Co-main event Alexis “Lex” Rocha (20-1, 13 KOs) discussed his NABO Welterweight title defense against Tijuana, Mexico, Jesus “Ricky” Perez (24-3, 18 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Monterrey, Mexico’s Arely Mucino (31-3-2, 11 KOs) shared her thoughts ahead of challenging Chimba, Argentina’s World Champion Leonela Yudica (17-0-3) for the IBF Female Flyweight World Title in a 10-round match. Dallas, Texas’s Hector Valdez, Jr. (15-0, 8 KOs) will open the DAZN broadcast in a 10-round super bantamweight fight against Las Vegas, Nevada’s Max Ornelas (15-0-1, 5 KOs).The main event for Golden Boy Fight Night: Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda Prelims on the Golden Boy Boxing YouTube Jorge “El Niño” Chávez (3-0, 3 KOs) will participate in a six-round super featherweight fight against Houston, Texas’s Adrian Leyva (3-3-2, 1 KO).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPDnl9TyukE
Here’s what the fighters had to say:
JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, FORMER IBF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“I know this fight is a really tough fight. It’s sink or swim. I’m a warrior – I have that in me and I’ll fight anyone. I want to fight the best. I want to always challenge myself.
“I’m always progressing – even my losses, I don’t look at them as losses. I look at them as lessons learned. Zepeda is one tough gunner, and I know he’s hungry for a title shot which will make this an incredible fight for me personally because he’s going to come forward and be aggressive.”
WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA, UNDEFEATED SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I had a really great training camp. I know I have a complicated fight ahead of me but I am very motivated with an excellent preparation like always.
“I’m used to training at a high altitude [10,000 feet above sea level in Jiquipilco, Mexico]. We really enjoy training there because we are very focused on training.
“I was very excited when I got the call for this fight. I’ve always wanted these types of opportunities. I’ve trained really hard for this, and this fight won’t be the exception. We are very concentrated and focused because we know this is a big opportunity.”
ALEXIS “LEX” ROCHA, NABO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“I’m a quiet guy, but when I go in the ring I let my hands do the talking. I just love what I do. A lot of people have turned me down. A lot of big names, but that’s just the way it is. I have “Ricky” Perez in front of me and I have a job to do.
“My whole mentality is just different since my loss to Rashidi Ellis. It’s a kill or be killed mentality inside the ring now. I know my opponent will come in very determined, and very motivated to win.”
JESUS “RICKY” PEREZ, WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER:
“This is a fight that we were destined to fight in. We have prepared very hard for this fight. Everyone will see the results from our preparation come fight night. I hope that fans get to see a big performance from the both of us. I feel very proud to represent the people of Tijuana and San Diego since I train here. I am going to feel right at home. This isn’t the first time I am the underdog, and I’ve given my fair share of surprises as the b-side.”
ARELY MUCINO, FEMALE FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I am happy because fight week is finally here and grateful to God for allowing me to live out this crazy dream. The emotions are building up, and I just want it to be Saturday already.
“Fans can expect for me to put on a show. Everyone knows that female boxers get to work starting from the first round, and this fight won’t be the exception. This is Mexico vs. Argentina, and I will proudly represent my country’s flag. This fight is dedicated with much love to my father, as I will continue the legacy that he left behind for us to continue.”
LEONELA YUDICA, CURRENT IBF FEMALE FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION:
“I have successfully defended my title 10 times in Argentina. I am very excited for this fight because I have long awaited for the opportunity to fight internationally. Not many people know who I am, but after this fight they will.
“She is a Mexican fighter, so she will come into the ring like a tough warrior. I am going to have in front of me a female boxer with tremendous experience and a former world champion. This is going to be a tough fight.
JOSEPH “JOJO” DIAZ, FORMER IBF SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“It gives me goosebumps while here in San Diego knowing that I am going to fight here soon in a couple of weeks. We are three weeks out, and I’m ready and excited.”
“It’s going to be a great night of fights. I know my opponent (William Zepeda) is going to bring his all. But I am ready to execute and do what I do best.”
“I am 150% confident that my hand will be raised after that bell rings. My training and preparation will make sure of that.”
ALEXIS “LEX” ROCHA, NABO WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION:
“I’m feeling really good. Training hard, staying focused on my fight. I’m continuing to make all the sacrifices to stay at the top of my game come October 29.”
“I know my opponent will come in very determined, and very motivated to win because he’s got a big stage – the Golden Boy stage – to come and perform on and try to steal the show and upset my plans. That doesn’t sit well with me – he’s going to try to come and take away everything that I’ve worked hard for.”
JESUS “RICKY” PEREZ, WELTERWEIGHT FIGHTER:
“This is a fight that we were destined to fight in. We have prepared very hard for this fight. Everyone will see the results from our preparation come fight night. I hope that fans get to see a big performance from the both of us. I feel very proud to represent the people of Tijuana and San Diego since I train here. I am going to feel right at home. This isn’t the first time I am the underdog, and I’ve given my fair share of surprises as the b-side.”
ARELY MUCINO, FEMALE FLYWEIGHT CONTENDER:
“I am excited and filled with so much enthusiasm and adrenaline now that we are three weeks out. Leonela is a great champion and has successfully defended her title many times. Knowing that, we expect for this to be a tough fight because she is a tremendous fighter. But we also know our great potential and it’s not the first time I’m going into the ring without a title in my hands. God has been very good to place the right people in my life at the right time and I feel prepared with this great team behind me.”
JORGE “EL NIÑO DORADO” CHAVEZ, SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT PROSPECT:
“This camp was definitely different. We tried to come into this fight relaxed so we can feel like nothing’s changed and that we’re just here to do our jobs.”
“I feel motivated to show fans who I truly am. In the past couple of years and even months I have developed more as a human being and a business-oriented person. I’m really happy to be fighting in my hometown – I didn’t think that this would happen so soon in my career. We are making the most out of this opportunity.”
Diaz, Jr. vs. Zepeda is a 12-round fight presented by Golden Boy Promotions. The fight will take place on Saturday, October 29 and will be broadcast live exclusively on DAZN worldwide. The event is sponsored by Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.
