Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs) emerged victorious over Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. (33-6-1, 15 KOs) with a ninth-round knockout in a thrilling fight held at Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California on Saturday night.
(Photo by Golden Boy / Chris Esqueda)
Despite Diaz’s attempts to dodge Duarte’s punches in the initial rounds, he couldn’t match Duarte’s power as Duarte relentlessly pursued him in the ring.
As the fight progressed, Diaz’s movements slowed, leading to Duarte landing powerful blows against him, ultimately causing Diaz to stagger to the ropes and face a barrage of punches.
Duarte’s Domination
In the ninth round, as Diaz tried to make a final stand against the ropes, Duarte’s continuous attacks forced the referee to step in and halt the fight at 2:32 of the 9th round.
Despite Diaz’s determination to continue fighting, his recent string of losses raises questions about his future in the sport, especially considering his lackluster performance against Duarte.
It has become evident that Jojo Diaz may need to reconsider the weight classes he competes in, as his recent struggles against top-tier opponents have highlighted his limitations in the 135 and 140-pound divisions.
Duarte’s Redemption
For Duarte, this victory marks a significant improvement since his defeat against Ryan Garcia last December. His display of power, high punch output, and relentless pressure have solidified his presence in the boxing scene.
If managed strategically by Golden Boy promotions, Duarte has the potential to excel in the 140-pound division and become a formidable opponent for many fighters, owing to his entertaining style and knockout prowess.
