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by: Joshua (Ashyknuckles)
Email: lightsout09@earthlink.net

Loud, raucous, rabid are just some of the words that describe the 13,000 plus fans expected to fill the Toyota Center, in Houston, in support of Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz (34 - 2 w/ 17KOs) as he takes on Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi (26 - 2 w/ 5KOs) on August 22nd. Fight fans from all sides of the city will raise the decibel levels to new heights as they vibrate and shake the walls in applause for Diaz. Many fighters, in the sport of boxing, spend many years trying to find ways to garner the type of acceptance and admiration the former champion has received in his professional career. Several months removed from obtaining a Bachelor's degree, in Political Science, Diaz finds himself ready to educate his opponent by giving him a painful lesson in the art of the sweet science.

This fight pits two former world champion fighters together to share 12 rounds of boxing in attempts to regain the status they once enjoyed. Both fighters are coming off of losses in high profile bouts against top competition with both fights ending by stoppage victories in favor of their opponent.

Diaz was in a back and forth, action-packed fight, with pound-for-pound great Juan Manuel Marquez, that saw Diaz taking the early lead. As the fight continued, Juan would suffer a severe cut that began to bleed profusely. Though not deterred by adversity, Diaz would fight on confidently, because he felt with certitude that it was his time to be considered among the upper echelon professional prizefighters in the game. However, as fatigue set in, he would ultimately succumb to the power and punch placement of the savvy veteran fighter from Mexico City, Mexico.

When asked, "What went wrong?" Diaz would smile and say, "When I saw the blood I felt Marquez would think this was his opportunity, so I just went for it." It is evident that in defeat, Juan Diaz would rather go out on his shield than to just survive the distance.

For Malignaggi, this fight represents a golden opportunity to position himself atop a talent rich, junior welterweight division. Last November, Malignaggi would fight the one time junior welterweight king Ricky Hatton and lost in a one-sided affair that saw the fight being stopped at the request of highly respected trainer Buddy McGirt. Since then, Malignaggi has been written off as a shot fighter as he took a tune-up fight against non descript opposition earlier this year. Malignaggi has been plagued with hand injuries in his career, but he's going to need every weapon in his arsenal to be successful against a resurging Diaz.

On August 22nd, there will be some serious soul searching for both fighters. Will Diaz get back to his winning ways by running over his opposition, possibly positioning himself for another high profile fight? Will Malignaggi prove the nay Sayers wrong and overcome the hunger, grit, and determination of the hometown hero? While it is a difficult task predicting winners and losers in certain fights, one thing remains inevitable; and that's excitement from watching a Juan Diaz fight. Diaz, many times has shown that his crowd-pleasing style has brought the fans to their feet in excitement. This fight should prove no different.

Be sure to tune in to HBO at 9:00pm, Saturday, August 22nd or if not be sure to get your tickets now.
Visit www.goldenboypromotions.com for further information.



Watch the video below for the prediction and analysis of this fight. Please be sure to comment. Thanks.