HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Anyone with a Facebook account will be able to watch the featherweight title fight between champion Jesus Rojas (26-1-2, 19 KOs) and challenger Joseph Diaz Jr. (26-1, 14 KOs). The fight will stream live on Facebook Watch on August 11 and Rojas' WBA "regular" featherweight title will be on the line.
Rojas is a 31-year-old orthodox fighter with good power for a featherweight. He loves to work on the inside and usually tries to make things rough. He doesn't usually jab his way inside, instead he will just walk forward until he can plant his head on his opponent's chest and go to work. Rojas always puts in good body work and he has a solid left hook. Although his best punch is his right hand which he throws straight or over the top and he typically does damage with it. Defensively Rojas isn't very good but because he always fights at such a close range he often smothers his opponent's offense.
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Rojas has fought solid opposition throughout his career. In he last two fights he took on Abraham Lopez and Claudio Marrero and he impressed in both outings. Rojas was able to drop Lopez three times on his way to a stoppage victory in the eighth round and he knocked Marrero out in the seventh round. Rojas hasn't lost a fight since 2008 and following a draw to Jorge Lara in 2015, Rojas has gone 4-0 with four knockouts. However, getting his fifth victory in a row won't be easy against a motivated Diaz fresh off a hard fought loss.
Diaz fights out of the southpaw stance and works behind a busy jab. His right hook is a good weapon and his left hand is solid but he's at his best when he's banging the body. When Diaz gets in the pocket he really likes to let his hands go and he does a nice job of varying his attack upstairs and to the body. He doesn't seem to do anything at a special level but his stamina is typically excellent and he seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. Defensively Diaz is solid but he doesn't have very quick feet so it's a good thing his chin is so strong.
The California native and 2012 Olympian has always fought quality opponents. Among his victims are solid fighters in Rene Alvarado, Ruben Tamayo, Jayson Velez, and Manuel Avila to name a few. In his last fight Diaz took on the blazing fast Gary Russell Jr. and lost a close unanimous decision. Diaz was able to impress in defeat though, looking good and even giving Russell a lot of trouble in spots. While the speed of Russell was too much for Diaz, he shouldn't have the same issues with Rojas who isn't nearly as fast handed as Russell is.
This should be a hard fought, fan friendly fight. Both Rojas and Diaz love to go to work on the inside and this fight could easily take place in a phone booth. On occasion Rojas will do more clinching and roughing things up on the inside than punching but he can't afford to do that against Diaz. Diaz will really let his hands go when he gets inside so if Rojas is just trying to clinch he will pay with punishment to the body. Also look for Rojas to sneak in overhand rights while clinching with the left and expect Diaz to pop him with the jab consistently as he tries to walk his way in.
PREDICTION: Jesus Rojas is a solid fighter and he will put in some good work against Joseph Diaz Jr. but it won't be enough. Rojas doesn't jab his way in and that will be his downfall. While Rojas tries to walk his way in he will be eating jab after jab from Diaz who will also put in plenty of good work to the body on his way to the unanimous decision victory.
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| Rojas tagging Claudio Marrero with a right hand |
Hailing from Puerto Rico, Rojas has fought solid opposition throughout his career. In he last two fights he took on Abraham Lopez and Claudio Marrero and he impressed in both outings. Rojas was able to drop Lopez three times on his way to a stoppage victory in the eighth round and he knocked Marrero out in the seventh round. Rojas hasn't lost a fight since 2008 and following a draw to Jorge Lara in 2015, Rojas has gone 4-0 with four knockouts. However, getting his fifth victory in a row won't be easy against a motivated Diaz fresh off a hard fought loss.
Diaz fights out of the southpaw stance and works behind a busy jab. His right hook is a good weapon and his left hand is solid but he's at his best when he's banging the body. When Diaz gets in the pocket he really likes to let his hands go and he does a nice job of varying his attack upstairs and to the body. He doesn't seem to do anything at a special level but his stamina is typically excellent and he seems to get stronger as the fight goes on. Defensively Diaz is solid but he doesn't have very quick feet so it's a good thing his chin is so strong.
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| Diaz digging to the body with a hard right hook |
This should be a hard fought, fan friendly fight. Both Rojas and Diaz love to go to work on the inside and this fight could easily take place in a phone booth. On occasion Rojas will do more clinching and roughing things up on the inside than punching but he can't afford to do that against Diaz. Diaz will really let his hands go when he gets inside so if Rojas is just trying to clinch he will pay with punishment to the body. Also look for Rojas to sneak in overhand rights while clinching with the left and expect Diaz to pop him with the jab consistently as he tries to walk his way in.
PREDICTION: Jesus Rojas is a solid fighter and he will put in some good work against Joseph Diaz Jr. but it won't be enough. Rojas doesn't jab his way in and that will be his downfall. While Rojas tries to walk his way in he will be eating jab after jab from Diaz who will also put in plenty of good work to the body on his way to the unanimous decision victory.
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