TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Grudge Match For Diaz, Rivera

ADVERTISEMENT

By EDDIE DANIELS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 27, 2008

TAMPA - Let's just say this one will be interesting.

The press release called it a grudge match, while one of the trainers admitted there's some "bad blood."

When featherweights Carlos "Bam Bam" Diaz and Carlos "El Rayo" Rivera step in the ring tonight in the main event of Starfight Production's Fight Night at the Pavilion, sweat will fly.

"I think it will be a good fight, but he's always talking trash about me," said Diaz (9-12-4, 7 KOs), of Tampa. "I'm not in his division, but he wants to fight me for some reason. I think what he wants to do is make a reputation for himself. He thinks he's going to beat me. The best is going to win. I don't like to talk a lot.

"He needs to be ready for what I got and I need to be ready for what he's got."

Rivera (12-3-2, 4 KOs), of New Port Richey, downplays the bad blood, but admits there is a difference of opinion and it'll be settled in the ring one way or the other.

"Not really bad blood," said Rivera, winner of his last three bouts. "I've known him for a while and there's just been a lot of talk - them saying he can beat me - but I've never heard anything from his mouth. There's no bad blood, but there's going to be a heck of a fight. I'm definitely showing up to fight."

According to Rivera's trainer, Jim McLoughlin, all the talk of knockouts will likely come to fruition, but he believes it'll be his boxer on the beneficial end.

"I honestly believe there's going to be a knockout in this fight. I believe he'll knock Diaz out," McLoughlin said. "On the other hand, Diaz can punch. It's going to be just a great fight. It's a dangerous fight for both of them."

The card, which begins at 8 p.m. at the A La Carte Event Pavilion, also will feature Clearwater welterweight Keith Thurman (5-0, 5 KOs). Thurman, who has punished each of his opponents via a first-round knockout, will face Chris Gray (9-7, 1 KO).
Jenna Shiver (5-2-1) faces veteran Renee Richardt-Douglas (11-6-1, 4 KOs); and middleweight prospect Ahsandi Gibbs (7-0) takes on Ben Aragon (7-10-2, 5 KOs). Also on the card are heavyweights Nicholas Iannuzzi (6-0) and Jason Barnett (10-7, 4 KOs) as well as undefeated lightweight prospect Tyrese Hendrix (12-0-1, 6 KOs).

Reporter Eddie Daniels can be reached at (813) 948-4214 or edaniels@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT