Joseph Diaz Jr. (31-1, 15 KOs) is now a father, and nothing could have been a better addition to his career.
As he prepares to make the first defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight World Title, Diaz Jr. says that he has found an added source of motivation.
“I’m very excited to be fighting again,” Diaz Jr. told Round By Round Boxing. “Not only am I happy because I’ve had a one-year layoff since I fought, but also because I am fighting for the new family that I have. I am fighting for my newborn son.”
Diaz Jr., of South El Monte, California welcomed a child in November of last year. This was just a few months after becoming a world champion.
Though the year 2020 will be remembered as a tough year for the world, things fared pretty well for Diaz Jr.
The young champion will return on Feb. 13 against IBF mandatory challenger Shavkatdzhon “Shere Khan” Rakhimov (15-0, 12 KOs) in a main event bout that will be streamed on DAZN and presented by Golden Boy Promotions.
Diaz Jr., who is 28 years old, is well aware of the challenges ahead of him and the similarities has with Rakhimov. Not only is the Tajikistan-born fighter a fellow decorated amateur, but he is also a southpaw with an aggressive style.
“He’s going to try to showcase his power and strength. But I’m going to have something for him. I’m going to bring all my talent and skill. I’m going to make a statement to everyone at the 130-pound division.”
Nevertheless, Diaz Jr. sees this fight as the beginning of a new era in his career where all of his dreams can come true. With a new family, he now has all the motivation in the world to do so.
“I’m not just fighting for myself. I’m fighting for my newborn son. And it all starts on Feb. 13.”
