Jo Jo Diaz On Devin Haney: “Whatever He Brings, I Will Adapt”

By: Sean Crose

“Experience will be a key factor in my victory, but my strength, speed and boxing are also very important and I think they are being underestimated.” So said Joseph Diaz Jr, who will be up against Devin Haney on Saturday for Haney’s WBC lightweight title. “I am a 2012 Olympic athlete,” he added. “I used to be a World Champion, I beat great boxers and I paid a fee to get here. I am here for a reason and from my hard work, and that will be the difference. The fight will be broadcast live on Showtime from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Of course, this is a huge opportunity for the boxer known as “Jo Jo.” Haney is considered one of the best – if not the best – in the red-hot mild department. Moreover, Haney is considered to have the potential to become a real star of this sport. Still, Diaz feels he’ll be ready to deal with whatever Haney brings to the ring this weekend. “Devin is an elusive and intelligent defensive fighter,” he admits, “but I don’t feel he has the experience I have. He has good range, and he uses his stroke to keep the outside, but that’s something I’ve never seen before, I’ve seen a lot of style in the ring and whatever he brings to the table. , I will adapt. ”

Diaz also made it clear that he feels Haney gets the confidence he needs through other people rather than from within. “I feel that he’s the type of guy who doesn’t have confidence in himself and that he needs those around him to push, build and gain his confidence,” Diaz said of the defending champion. “I-I’m confident, on my own, I know what I’m doing and what I’m capable of, and I’ll get him out of there.”

Confidence can go a long way for an individual, but it cannot alone help someone win a world title. Skill has to be relevant, in this case the kind of skill that can surpass Haney, one of the most polished boxers in the game. He may not be a knockout machine, but Haney 26-0 knows how to win and wins impressively. However, with the score 32-1-1, Diaz was around the penalty area several times. He relies largely on his ring-wearing experience as having good reason. Also notable is the fact Diaz has only lost once, and that’s seven games before that. By the end of this week, the world will know if Haney adds another loss to Diaz’s résumé… or Diaz will claim a world championship belt.