The main event was scheduled to be for one of the WBA's minor titles in the featherweight division with Jesus Rojas defending against Joseph Diaz in what should be an interesting scrap with a belt on the line or not.
The belt won't be on the line as Diaz didn't make weight as part of a continuing problem that boxing is going to have to deal with sooner than later, but after Diaz returned a part of his purse to the state commission and another slide to Rojas, the fight will go on and it should be a decent one.
Rojas was very impressive in stopping Claudio Marrero in seven rounds in his last fight that saw him take a jump in competition and Diaz is another bounce forward in quality fighters so Rojas will be tested by Diaz, who was decisioned in his last fight by Gary Russell for Russell's WBC title.
The WBA has ruled that Rojas will retain his title, win or lose due to Diaz missing weight.
I am critical of the WBA most of all the sanctioning bodies, but this is a fair decision.
I've never understood how a fighter can lose a title (legitimate or not) because their opponent did not meet the required terms and it's good to see an organization agree.
This will be a huge fight for Diaz- title or not as I suspected entering the Russell fight that he might be a solid contender, yet not one that could be an elite level fighter.
That's pretty much how I saw Diaz's performance against Russell- solid, but not good enough against a talented fighter that might be the best in his division,
The fight should place Rojas on the food chain, as either one that is capable of being at the top of the division or just another contender.
Diaz should be the tepid favorite, but this is a fight that could go either way and should start GBP's series with Facebook in a strong manner.
Featherweights 12 Rds
Jesus Rojas vs Joseph Diaz
R.L: Rojas KO 9
TRS: Diaz Unanimous Decision
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