Report- JoJo Diaz Replaces Ryan Garcia against Fortuna in July

It’s no secret that Golden Boy Promotions and DAZN were looking to salvation their July 9th card in Southern California after unbeaten Lightweight star Ryan Garcia pulled out of the fight with fellow contender Javier Fortuna late last month citing mental health issues. And a report out Wednesday, says the replacement is former Jr. Lightweight champ, JoJo Diaz.

Mike Coppinger of the Athletic tweeted that Diaz has agreed to the offer and will step in for Garcia to battle the former world champ Fortuna,

Sources: Joseph Diaz Jr. and Javier Fortuna have agreed to fight July 9 on DAZN at 135 pounds. This is a can’t miss action fight from Golden Boy. Diaz, who lost his 130-pound title at the scales in February, now taking on Fortuna after Ryan Garcia withdrew

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 12, 2021

Diaz (31-1-1, 15 KOs ) was last in action in February taking on Shavkat Rakhimov, where he lost his IBF title before he ever stepped in the ring. This, as he was significantly over the 130 lb. limit and stripped of the belt. He and Rakhimov fought to spirited draw. The IBF made clear that Diaz would not get a rematch for the title with Rakhimov for the vacant belt.

The 28 year old Southern California native Diaz had won his world title from Tevin Farmer (photo top) by unanimous decision in Miami in January of 2020.

As for the Dominican Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs), he’s the former WBA World Super Featherweight champ that was dethroned, when Jason Sosa knocked him out in June of 2016. He also lost in a bid for the IBF Lightweight World championship to Robert Easter on a controversial split decision in January of 2018.  Though, the veteran has won three straight fights over the last two years.

Back to the 22 year old Garcia, he’s ranked #1 by the WBC at 21-0. And, while we wait for his return or next fight, he was apparently privately complaining about Golden Boy Promotions having picked the outdoor venue Banc of California Soccer Stadium next to the USC campus in L.A. for his July main event with Fortuna. That means it would be held in the Southern California heat in the late afternoon and early evening.

Garcia is not a big fan of fighting in the sun and the L.A heat, outside in July.

It’s unclear yet, whether that locale will still be used by Golden Boy/DAZN or if they will seek another venue, now that Diaz would be the opponent for Fortuna.