HANEY vs DIAZ

Devin Haney and Joseph 'JoJo' Diaz will meet for the WBC lightweight championship on December 4th.

WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney and Joseph 'JoJo' Diaz went face-to-face for the first time yesterday in a Las Vegas press conference to announce their fight on December 4th.

This will be Haney's fourth defence of the iconic green and gold belt, and the American was quick to criticise Diaz's willingness to take the fight.

"JoJo wasn’t in a rush to fight me, I feel like we had to corner him to make him take the fight, all these other guys it’s the same thing," Haney told the world's media.

"They know my skills set, how much I bring to the table, if JoJo didn’t take this fight the world would have known what it really was. December 4, they’re going to see."

When it came to discussing the fight itself, Haney believes he has all the skills to beat Diaz and take another step towards an undisputed title fight against Teofimo Lopez.

"I do feel like his [Joseph Diaz Jr.] style will be tailor made for me, there’s nothing that he can do to win. 

"He can’t outbox me, I’ll show him he can’t out bang me, I have the size advantage, all the tools to win.”

Diaz however is confident he can adapt to whatever Haney throws at him at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas next month. 

"If he wants to try and box, I’m just going to hunt his a-- down," Diaz said.

"If he wants to come and bang, I’m just going to bang it out as well. Whatever he wants to bring to the table I’m going to bring it.

“I feel like I’m at my prime, I feel like I’ve already took all the steps I needed to take to be at this point in my life and my career. As far as taking fights with Jesús Rojas, Tevin Farmer, Gary Russell Jr., Javier Fortuna, I’ve already fought those top tier contenders."

The 28-year-old also revealed his family is giving him extra motivation for this career defining contest.

"I know that Devin is a very skilled fighter and it’s going to be tough fight, he’s going to bring out the best in me and I’m going to bring out the best in him. 

"At the end of the day, I know what I’m about and that there’s a lot at stake for me. I’ve been through everything already, all the trials and tribulations in my life and career, but now I’ve got my son and my family that brings me that extra motivation to go out there and risk it all in that ring.”