JOJO DIAZ was inspired by George Kambosos Jr.'s heroics and will use that as motivation to fight for the undisputed title.
Kambosos defeated the odds and Teofimo Loz at the same moment last weekend in New York. They won the WBA, IBF and WBO 'Franchise’ belts.
Former super-featherweight champion JoJo Diaz
Devin Haney's WBC title is the only thing that has not been officially declared lightweight king. Diaz will challenge for it on Saturday.
Like Kambosos the American is determined and the underdog in betting. He will use the Australian's performance as a catalyst for his own upset.
SunSport interviewed Diaz, a 29-year-old Diaz. He said that he is already motivated because this is all he ever dreamed.
"Fighting in Vegas, the main-event of the WBC lightweight title. Broadcast on a primetime network such as DAZN.
"This is all I've ever dreamed, so that motivate is already there. But to see something like Kambosos winning, it's as surprising as boxing.
"But it gave me the extra motivation because I know that anything could happen in boxing, and that I have put in the effort.
"God is going to bless me by the victory."
FREE BETTING: Get the Latest Betting SIGN-UP Offers and Free BetsEddie Hearn promoted Haney, 23 years old, who had verbally agreed that Lopez, 23, would share all titles with him, just days before Kambsos (28), ruined the party.
The unbeaten champ is already focusing his attention on the lightweight champion, who will be at ringside in Las Vegas.
Like Lopez did to Kambosos, Diaz now plans to add another wrinkle to the lightweight category and win Haney's title but also the chance at undisputed glory.
He stated, "After this fight I want to challenge Kambosos in the undisputed."
"If everything goes as planned and I look spectacular, Kambosos and Eddie Hearn want to fight, then we can make it happen.
"I have seen and experienced everything in the ring, and Devin Haney's offers are nothing new.
"I'm going to just go out there and look spectacular Saturday night. I will apply a lot pressure and use my ring generalship. My experience. My boxing techniques.
"But also my speed, power and strength. I'm eager to perform for the world and the lightweight division.
Haney did not technically win the green and gold belt in ring. Instead, he was elevated from an 'interim' champion to the full title.
This was after Vasiliy Lombenko (33), was elevated to 'Franchise status. Lopez won the battle against the Ukrainian in Oct 2020.
This has led to Haney’s rivals accusing him of legitimacy, which was one of Diaz’s most powerful verbal weapons during the build-up to their fight.
He stated, "I just want him to punch me in the face for all his s*** talking."
"I feel that he got it done the easy way and not the hard way. I want him to make the right choice.
"I will do everything I can to knock him out. Of course, it won't be overwhelming. Swinging and looking for the knockout.
"I will be fighting smart, fighting defensively and applying the right pressure.
"If I get the chance to have him hurt, you can be sure I'm going after the knockout."
