Mexican contender Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz receives an invaluable assistance from a famous boxing legend as he prepares for his scheduled 12-round encounter with WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
Both men are slated to lock horns for the green-laced strap in the main event of ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES, which takes place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on 6 October.
Hailing from Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Diaz has acquired the services of four-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who accepts the role as the aforementioned boxer’s adviser.
“Juan Manuel Marquez is a legend of the sport. All Mexican boxers look up to him as an inspiration and a role model. I am so elated to have him as I gear up for my first world title fight of my boxing career. It’s an honor to learn from the best,” Diaz said of Marquez.
In a professional career that spanned over twenty years, Marquez was known for being a highly-technical pugilist who was exceptionally skilled at combinations and counterpunches, yet also willing to engage in slugfests with his opponents.
The 44-year-old Mexico City native was likewise credited for his toughness as he never lost an in-ring contest by stoppage.
Marquez’s most noteworthy outings inside the squared-circle include his four-match saga with Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and the grueling clash against compatriot Marco Antonio Barrera in March 2007.
Having held nine world championships in four different weight classes, Marquez is recognized by most sporting news publications and boxing websites as one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time.
“We consider this to be a great opportunity for Iran to face one of the best super flyweights in the world today. It’s his first world title fight. With Juan Manuel Marquez extending his helping hand, it’s huge for us”, Diaz’s trainer Ernesto Salgado stated.
“There is so much at stake in this fight. We will need all the help we can get to win,” the boxing coach added.
One of the fastest rising talents in Mexican boxing, Diaz holds a record of 14-2-3 with six knockouts to his name.
Diaz’s most notable victories have come at the expense of dangerous former world champions Hernan “Tyson” Marquez and Luis Concepcion.
Sharing the ring with a hometown hero like Rungvisai, who has beaten the likes of Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada, Diaz is confident that he could pull off the improbable upset on 6 October.
“Coming into my opponent’s home country, I know it’s enemy territory, and I know the fans will be cheering loudly for him. But I believe in my skills, and I believe in my talent. I am coming to Bangkok to score a huge upset,” he vowed.
For more updates on ONE Championship, please visit www.onefc.com, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ONEChampionship, and like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ONEChampionship.