Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs) looked powerful, defeating Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz Jr. (33-6-1, 15 KOs) by a ninth-round knockout on Saturday night on the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California.
(Photo credit: Golden Boy / Cris Esqueda)
Diaz, 31, didn’t have the pop in his punches to decelerate the momentum of Duarte, as he was an unstoppable force with the best way he stalked him across the ring. Earlier on, JoJo Diaz used movement to avoid taking shots from Duarte in the primary 4 rounds.
Starting within the fifth, Diaz’s movement slowed down, and he began taking heavy shots from Duarte against the ropes. Shelling up against the ropes and taking bad punishment from Duarte was a mistake for Diaz.
Duarte’s Relentless Pressure
Within the ninth round, Diaz retreated to the ropes for a final stand, and shelled unmercibly by Duarte, causing the referee to step in and stop the massacre. The time of the stoppage was at 2:32 of round 9.
Diaz says he’ll fight on, however it’s hard to see a future for him at this point, with him losing five out of his last six fights. It might be sad to see JoJo Diaz dropped from fighting on the important card of off-TV contests against prospects or journeymen.
The fights JoJo Diaz has consistently lost since 2021 show that he’s not cut out for the load classes he’s been competing in. He’s not on the extent to beat top-tier fighters at this stage of his profession, a minimum of not within the 135- or 140-lb divisions.
Duarte’s Rise
The 28-year-old Duarte’s win shows his improvement since his loss to Ryan Garcia last December, and it also explains why he gave him so many problems. Duarte has a variety of power, throws tons of punches, and exerts unrelenting pressure.
Duarte is an entertainer-type fighter who will do well against most of the fighters at 140 if he stays in that weight class. Nevertheless, many fighters will give him trouble with their power and the undeniable fact that he’s easy to hit.
If Golden Boy matches Duarte fastidiously, he can win many fights and make good money. Fighters like him are in demand in the game, and his power makes him fun to observe.
