‘War’ Could Be on the Horizon for Joseph Diaz in Vital Sink-or-Swim Fight

Joseph Diaz received a gift at Thursday’s press conference – something he hasn’t seen on the scorecards lately. It was a red hat that read ‘WAR,’ similar to the one worn by Marvin Hagler years ago. It was a gift from his manager, Rick Mirigian. 

Diaz faces Oscar Duarte on Saturday, April 27, from the SaveMart Center in Fresno, Calif., as part of the undercard of Jose Ramirez versus Rances Barthelemy.

Diaz (33-5-1, 15 KOs) has a lot on the line against Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) so the symbolic gesture of the hat is nothing more than a prelude of what he is anticipating after a rough couple of years.

Diaz became a world champion defeating Tevin Farmer in 2020 (pre-pandemic) but things have been shaky since. 

He lost his IBF junior lightweight title on the scales when he fought Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov to a draw and he has gone 2-4 since, though split-decision losses to Mercito Gesta and Jesus Perez were both questionable. 

The 2012 Olympian is now in a crossroads fight at only 31-years-old and he knows it.

“I have got to  really showcase to everybody that I am still a contender at any weight,” Diaz told BoxingScene. “I’m excited, because I am hungry and determined, and a lot of people are counting me out – but they will see Saturday night.”

Most fighters have two acts to their career. When they are prospects, with a perfect record and everyone believes in them, that is stage one. Then, act two comes after they lose when the world begins to doubt them. That is often when a champion is defined by their resilience.

Diaz enters the bout a betting underdog. According to SportsBetting.Ag, Diaz is a +275 underdog. Duarte opens as a -375 favorite. 

“Right now they have me as an underdog,” stated Diaz. “I believe [that’s] based on the Jesus Perez fight [losing a split decision in February].”

For Diaz, the ‘WAR’ hat he was gifted has less to do with Hagler, whom he loved watching, but more to do with his mindset. 

Against Duarte, who gave Ryan Garcia an honest fight in December before being stopped in the eighth round, Diaz has to give it everything. His career could be on the line. 

“I think this hat means that we are going to leave it all in the ring,” Diaz said of the intent behind the gift. “It is sink-or-swim for myself, and I know it is that way for Oscar Duarte, too.”