Marquez vs. Diaz Co Feature
Live on HBO
January 9, 2009
LOS ANGELES, January 9 - It's the
homecoming fight Rocky Juarez has dreamed of ever since he turned pro
and on Saturday, February 28th at Houston's Toyota Center, the 2000 US
Olympic Silver medalist will have an opportunity to face the premier
featherweight in the world, unbeaten WBA World Featherweight Champion
Chris John in a 12 round championship bout.
"Chris John has been one of boxing's most consistent world champions and
we're excited to finally bring him to the United States so the fans here
can see him in person," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy
Promotions. "He's in for a tough night against Rocky Juarez, who is more
determined than ever to capture a world championship. With John looking
to impress U.S. fans and Juarez looking for his first world
championship, this has all the makings of a great fight."
The pride of Indonesia, Chris "The Dragon" John (42-0-1, 22 KO's) is one
of the longest reigning champions in boxing today having won his WBA
World Featherweight Crown in 2003 with a win over Oscar Leon. John has
since defended his title ten times against the likes of standouts such
as Osamu Sato, Derrick Gainer, Hiroyuki Enoki and pound for pound great
Juan Manuel Marquez, who John decisioned in 2006. Now, fighting for the
first time in his ten year career in the United States, the 29-year-old
is ready for the big names that will cement his legacy even further.
"This is an important moment in my life and my career - to not only
defend my title against a worthy challenger like Rocky Juarez, but to do
so fighting in the United States for the first time," said John. "I
promise all my fans that I will give my best as always and I hope to
make even more fans in Houston."
One of the most exciting and courageous warriors in the game today,
Ricardo Rocky Juarez (28-4, 20 KO's) has been thrilling fight fans ever
since he took home a Silver Medal for the United States in the 2000
Olympic Games. Juarez went on to win his first 23 pro fights and though
he would later fall short in hard-fought title fights against Marco
Antonio Barrera (twice), Humberto Soto and Juan Manuel Marquez, a
stirring 11th round TKO of Former World Champion Jorge Rodrigo Barrios
last September propelled the 28-year-old Houston native back into the
world title picture. On February 28th, he hopes to finally strap
championship gold around his waist.
"I'm grateful for this opportunity and I've always felt that I'm at my
best when my back's against the wall," said Juarez, who will be
competing in his fifth world title bout on February 28th. "I'm fighting
this fight as if it's my last and I won't disappoint my hometown fans. I
will win the title on February 28th."
John vs. Juarez, a 12 round bout for John's WBA World Featherweight
Championship, is the televised co-feature on the Marquez vs. Diaz
undercard. Marquez vs. Diaz, a 12 round bout for Marquez' Ring Magazine
World Lightweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions
and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. The world title
bouts will take place on February 28th from the Toyota Center in
Houston, Texas and be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing
beginning at 10 pm ET / 7 pm PT.
Tickets for Marquez vs. Diaz, priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25, go
on sale Friday, January 9 at 10 a.m. CT and are available for purchase.
