Marquez-Diaz face-off

MANILA, Philippines - Fireworks will come at the end of July this year when boxing superstars Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez takes on Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz in a rematch of 2009’s Fight of the Tear, as dubbed by numerous boxing organizations and media outlets.

Marquez vs. Diaz II, scheduled for July 31, will be for Marquez’s Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO Lightweight World titles, and will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

On Feb. 28, 2009, Marquez roared back from an early deficit to defeat Diaz via ninth round TKO at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas in a heated, back and forth battle filled with furious exchanges. The action-packed war, referred to as “hellacious” by veteran HBO blow-by-blow commentator Jim Lampley, earned Fight of the Year honors from the Boxing Writers Association of America, ESPN.com and Ring Magazine.

One of Mexico’s greatest warriors, Mexico City’s Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs) has won world titles in the featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight divisions over the course of a 17-year pro career that will undoubtedly land him in the Hall of Fame. Winner of six of his last eight bouts, with his defeats coming to Floyd “Money” Mayweather and via controversial decision to Manny ”Pacman” Pacquiao, “Dinamita” is still on top of his game at 36, and he’s eager to remind Diaz of that fact on July 31.

A pro since age 16, 26-year-old Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (35-3, 17 KOs) has practically grown up in the fight game and he’s apparently learned his lessons well, as he held the world lightweight title for over three years from 2004 to 2007. Now, looking to regain the title on July 31, the fighting pride of Houston, Texas will be coming with all guns blazing to Las Vegas, where he is 4-0 in his career.

With all the hoopla surrounding Marquez and his rivalry with Pacquiao, it is often overlooked that Marquez remains the WBA and WBO Lightweight champion.

Both belts will be on the line, and both boxers have tasted defeat in their last outings. Will Diaz improve on his last performance and regain his standing as the world’s best lightweight or will Marquez show that age is just a number and retain his titles?

The match will be aired on Aug. 1, 1 to 3 p.m. on Solar TV and Solar Sports.