Joseph Diaz (31-1, 15 KOs) defeated Tevin Farmer (30-5-1, 6 KOs) via unanimous decision to capture the IBF Junior Lightweight world title at the Meridian at Island Garden in Miami on Thursday night, January 30, 2020.
Diaz backed up his talk leading up to the fight. He learned from his one loss that came against WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. He was determined to not waste his third attempt at becoming a world champion.
The Super Featherweight division is deep and competitive. The three champions in the division are Jamel Herring, Leo Santa Cruz and Miguel Berchelt.
Top contenders include former champions Oscar Valdez and Carl Frampton, as well as rising stars Lamont Roach Jr. and Chris Colbert.
With the shakeup at the top of the division, what’s next for IBF Super Featherweight champion, Joseph “Jojo” Diaz?
Tevin Farmer
Tevin Farmer had a rematch clause worked into the contract for the fight with Joseph Diaz.
Therefore, the easy and obvious answer is an immediate rematch against Farmer. This isn’t always the case. Diaz had a gruesome eye injury that may take an extended period of time to heal.
Diaz impressed with his performance, but we know that Farmer could put up a much more competitive fight.
Farmer has also made it clear that he would like to move up to the Lightweight division at 135 pounds. This could leave the door open for a different opponent for Diaz.
We’ve seen champions lose their belt in the ring, then proceed to change trainers, managers or their promotional teams, effecting who they fight next.
Farmer is most likely the next opponent for Diaz, but we’ve seen weirder storylines in boxing change a fight or opponents for individuals.
IBF Mandatory
The IBF is the most strict sanctioning body in boxing when it comes to mandatory opponents.
They will enforce their new champion to immediately defend the IBF belt without hesitation.
In the case of the Super Featherweight division, there currently isn’t a No. 1 or No. 2 ranked fighter. This would lead to a title eliminator bout with the third and fourth fighters.
No. 3 Kenichi Ogawa vs. No. 4 Azinga Fuzile would possibly be that matchup as the rankings currently stand.
Should the Farmer rematch not happen, this would be an option for Diaz as his next opponent.
Oscar Valdez
Oscar Valdez is new to the Super Featherweight division. He could use a signature win to prove himself as an elite fighter in a new weight class.
This fight would be massive in the state of California, both fighters are of Mexican descent, natives of the Golden State, and former 2012 Olympians.
A fight between two warriors that like to bring the action to their fights would result in an all-out war.
What more could boxing fans possibly ask for? This is a win-win matchup without a doubt.
Who would you like to see Joseph “Jojo” Diaz Jr. fight next?
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