Oscar Collazo Headlines In Puerto Rico For First Defense

Coming up tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico WBO strawweight world champ Oscar Collazo will make the first defense of his title in front of what should be a loud, partisan fan base.

Collazo, 7-0, 5 KOs, became the fastest Puerto Rican to win a world title ever in just his seventh pro bout with his TKO demolition of Melvin Jerusalem back in late May. Now, the fighter known, as “El Pupilo” takes on Filipino fighter Garen Diagan, 10-3, 5 KOs, in a bout that he’s heavily favored in.

Here’s more from the press conference Thursday from the Golden Boy Promotions release:

“The 12-round fight will be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN and is presented in association with Miguel Cotto Promotions and H2 Entertainment. The event will take place on Saturday, August 26 at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Here is what the participants had to say:

OSCAR “EL PUPILO” COLLAZO, WBO MINI FLYWEIGHT:
“I’m very excited and happy. Two more days to come and we will make our first title defense in front of my people at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum. I am very grateful that Golden Boy and DAZN together with Miguel Cotto Promotions had made my dream come true. I know that Diagan is ready to fight and will come in hungry, but I am ready for him and the World Championship belt will stay in my island of Puerto Rico.”

GAREN “HELLBOY” DIAGAN, MINI FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHALLENGER:
“I am very happy to be in Puerto Rico, and thank you to Miguel Cotto Promotions for the opportunity. I give a lot of respect to Collazo. He is a great fighter. I have done all my job in my training camp to become a champion. I am ready to give my all this Saturday night for my family and the Philippines.”

Collazo had about two dozen amateur bouts, turning pro in 2020. He got the title shot at Jerusalem by kayoing
Yudel Reyes in January of this year in Inglewood, CA. He made the most of the title opportunity by swarming Jerusalem in the middle rounds and causing damage with body shots. Jerusalem did not answer the bell for the eighth round.

Now, the 26 year old headlining in a famed venue of the Roberto Clemente Coliseum, where his co-promoter Miguel Cotto, previously fought to adoring fans, as well.

The co-feature tonight will have Juan Carlos “El Indio” Camacho Jr., 15-1, 7 KOs, against Jorge Luis Orozco, 17-3-2, 11 KOs, in a 10-round, 115-pound bout for the NABF title.