One of the most exciting rising stars in boxing today, 2012 U.S. Olympian Joseph “Jo Jo” Diaz Jr., will return to the ring on Monday, Sept. 29, to face Mexico’s Raul “Bule” Hidalgo (21-11, 16 KOs) in a 10-round co-main event featherweight bout on FOX Sports 1 at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.
A fighter whose maturity in the ring far surpasses his 21 years of age, South El Monte, California’s Joseph Diaz Jr. (11-0, 7 KOs) is enjoying a meteoric rise through the featherweight division. Already a 2014 winner over Jiovany Fuentes and Luis Maldonado, Diaz Jr. was impressive in his first 10-round bout in July, as he outpointed prospect Ramiro Robles.
One of Diaz’ most seasoned opponents yet, Chihuahua Mexico’s Raul Hidalgo (22-11, 16 KOs) has fit a lot of experience into his four years as a professional, and he intends to use every bit of it to score the upset on Sept. 29. A ferocious competitor who has faced off with the likes of Ivan Morales, AJ Banal, Daiki Kameda and Christopher Martin, the 25-year-old Hidalgo has won three of his last four bouts, most recently outpointing Gonzalo Garcia over 12 rounds in July.
In the 10-round heavyweight main event, former light heavyweight world champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver meets top contender Johnathon Banks in a matchup of veterans looking to make their case for a shot at a world title.
Also in action in a non-televised bout will be unbeaten San Antonio prospect Joseph “Texas Mongoose” Rodriguez. He’ll be taking on Corpus Christi’s Jeremy Longoria in an All-Texas showdown scheduled for six rounds in the junior featherweight division.
One of Texas’ most popular young fighters, 22-year-old Joseph Rodriguez (6-0, 2 KOs) is a prospect many believe has world championship potential. A professional since 2012, Rodriguez hasn’t disappointed, barely losing a round en route to a perfect 6-0 record. The San Antonio native, who is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Leija*Battah Promotions, will make his debut in Hidalgo against Corpus Christi’s Jeremy Longoria (6-4, 1 KO), a tough battler who has rebounded from a 3-3 start of his career to win three of his last four bouts, including a decision victory over Alberto Navarro in August.
