SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 20, 2008) – Former lightweight champion Julio “Kidd” Diaz (34-4, 25 KOs) makes his highly anticipated return to the ring on Wednesday, June 25, from the world famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif. (ESPN2 11:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. PT)..
Sycuan Ringside Promotions (SRP) of San Diego, Calif. will promote the evening of boxing aptly titled, “Tribal Pride at the Playboy Mansion.”
An opponent for Diaz will be announced shortly.
Diaz, coming off a tough ninth round TKO loss against former lightweight kingpin Juan Diaz, is looking to get back into championship contention with a strong performance.
“When I lost my title (IBF lightweight) to Juan Diaz last November the only thing I could think of was how to get it back,” said Diaz, who lives and trains in Palm Springs, Calif. “It’s going to take a lot of hard work and determination. It’s a challenge that I’ve accepted and looking forward to overcome.
“It doesn’t matter who I am fighting,” continued Diaz, who is trained by his older brother, Joel. “I’m a seasoned veteran and seasoned veterans know how to figure out a fighter within one or two rounds My opponent will understand how tremendous of a predicament he’s in once the bell rings.
“I’m pumped for this fight. It’s going to be a great show. It’s at the Playboy Mansion and it’s televised on ESPN2. You can’t go wrong with those two combinations.”
The night of boxing showcases additional Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ fighters who are anxious to shine on national television.
Newly signed to SRP, Henry “Sugar Poo” Buchanan (16-1, 11 KOs) will display his super middleweight skills against a fighter to be named later. Cruiserweight prospect Shawn “The Sioux Warrior” Hawk (16-0-1, 14 KOs) will look to stay unbeaten against Eric “Danger” Fields (11-1, 9 KOs).
Buchanan, who is an uncle to San Diego Chargers All-Pro linebacker Shawn Merriman, has been vigorously training in Las Vegas, Nev. for the last few months.
“I’m excited to be fighting on national television,” said Buchanan, who will move his training camp to the thin air of Big Bear, Calif. next week. “I’m not sure the super middleweight division is ready for me.
“I’m going to start making some noise and people are going to start recognizing me as an elite fighter.”
Buchanan will have plenty of supporters at the Playboy Mansion as Merriman plans to make the trip to Beverly Hills, as are many other celebrities. A full celebrity list will be confirmed shortly.
Buchanan’s most recent victory came on the undercard of the Vazquez-Marquez III bout on March 1, 2008 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Buchanan out-boxed and out-worked Ross Thompson (26-12-2, 16 KOs) en route to an eight round unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored the fight 77-75 for Buchanan. At the time of the weigh in, Thompson (177) even enjoyed a seven pound weight advantage over Buchanan (170).
“This is only the beginning for me,” said Buchanan after the fight. “I am working toward that world title shot. That’s all I want right now.”
Hawk, known for his power in either mitt, has knocked out his last three opponents.
Most recently in October 2007, Hawk needed only two rounds to dispose of Jim Franklin (8-11-2, 5 KOs). It was the fourteenth knockout of his career and came in Hawk’s home state of South Dakota.