Julio Diaz Returns On June 7

25.05.05- Former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz of Coachella, Calif., fights for the first time since his attempt at the World Boxing Council 135-pound title when he meets Marco Angel Perez of Las Vegas on a nationally televised card presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Northeast Promotions June 7 at the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, Caif..

The 25-year-old Diaz, who’s promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions, last fought March 5 in Las Vegas when he was thwarted in his attempt to dethrone then-WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.

Diaz, who has a record of 30-3 with 22 knockouts, won the IBF lightweight championship in his previous bout, beating Javier Jauregui on a card presented by Sycuan Ringside Promotions May 13, 2004, in San Diego.

Perez has a record of 21-6 with 14 knockouts and has won four of his past five bouts. Diaz isn’t the first former world champion Perez has met. He fought former WBC featherweight and World Boxing Association bantamweight champ.

The card will be held in the Sycuan Showcase Theatre with doors opening at 5 p.m. (Pacific) and the first fight at 5:30.

Tickets are priced at $100 and are on sale at the Sycuan Resort & Casino gift shop 24 hours a day or by calling 619-659-3380 during those hours.

“Julio learned a lot in that fight against Castillo, lessons that will serve him well in future fights,” said Glenn Quiroga, president and chief operating officer of Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “All of us at Sycuan Ringside Promotions have every confidence and no doubts Julio will be a world champion again.”

“I feel like I’m a monster,” said Diaz. “I fought a great fighter in Castillo and learned so much.”

The semi-main event matches Delvin Rodriguez of Danbury, Conn., with a record of 14-1-1 and seven knockouts, against Luis Miguel Santos of Canoga Park, Calif., with a mark of 11-3 with seven knockouts, in a 10-round welterweight bout.

The undercard features Zaid Zavaleta of Guadlajara, Mexico, with a record of 6-0-1 and two knockouts, against Carlos Cisneros of Los Angeles, with a mark of 6-10-1 and four knockouts, in a six-round lightweight fight.

Ruben Torres of Coachella, Calif., with a record of 4-0 and two knockouts, appears in a four-round heavyweight bout and Curtis Jones of New York City, with a mark of 1-0 and no knockouts, is in a four-round super middleweight fight. Opponents for Torres and Jones will be determined.

The card is televised by ESPN2.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions of El Cajon, Calif., is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had four world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts on premium cable networks.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including World Boxing Organization junior featherweight champion Joan Guzman and IBF junior featherweight champ Israel Vazquez.

Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Quiroga; Willie Tucker Sr., senior vice president; Scott Woodworth, vice president of boxing operations; and Michael Marley, vice president of public relations.