Marquez, Diaz duel for lightweight titles

HOUSTON – Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz both say they’ve reached a pivotal moment in their boxing careers.

Two of the world’s top lightweights will battle for Diaz’s IBO championship and the vacant WBA and WBO titles on Saturday at the Toyota Center.

Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KOs) is a former featherweight and super featherweight champion fighting for only the second time at 135 pounds (61 kilograms). He beat Joel Casamayor by technical knockout last September in his lightweight debut and needs a victory over Diaz to have a chance of lining up another bout with nemesis Manny Pacquiao. The two fought to a draw in May 2004 and Pacquiao won a controversial decision in the rematch last March.

But first comes Diaz.

“If I win,” Marquez said, “it could mean great things for me, even more important fights.”

The Houston-born Diaz (34-1, 17 KOs) is trying to win back the WBA and WBO belts he lost to Nate Campbell last March. Campbell was stripped of the titles this month when he came in overweight for his fight with Ali Funeka.

“This is the type of fight I’ve been waiting for my whole life,” Diaz said. “They’re going to have to carry me out with a stretcher in order for me to lose that fight on Saturday night.”

The 35-year-old Marquez is a national hero in Mexico, but he agreed to fight Diaz in his hometown. He’s also 10 years older than Diaz and admits that Diaz is a high-volume puncher who brings an awkward style.

But Marquez just smiles when reminded of Diaz’s apparent advantages.

“I feel very confident because I have been training very hard,” Marquez said. “I know I have a difficult fight, but not impossible to win.” (AP)