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Diaz-Katsidis Presser!

Friday, September 5 2008

By Peter Lim / Photos: Peter Lim

Fighting words were flying at today's final press conference for Saturday's HBO doubleheader featuring Houston's former unified world champion, Juan "Baby Bull" Diaz against Australian warrior Michael "The Great" Katsidis and Houston native and 2000 Olympic Silver Medalist Ricardo Rocky Juarez against former junior lightweight world champion Jorge "La Hiena" Barrios at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Michael Katsidis: "I've done the training and I've done the work. I'm mentally strong and physically strong. (The Casamayor fight) was a learning experience. I've gotten straight back on the horse again and I've actually gone forward. I was able to gain a lot of boxing experience from it. I've taken it in and we'll put it to practice on September 6. I think it's going to come down to a battle of wills and who wants it the most. He thinks it's him and I think it's me."
Juan Diaz: "I'm very motivated. This is going to be like icing on the cake. I have a lot of people who are going to come and support me. I think the advantage that I have is that I've been able to go the distance with seasoned professionals. He's fought a lot of fighters but none the caliber of Joel Casamayor. Look what happened in the championship rounds; he got knocked out. I've proven time and time again that I can go the distance with those great fighters."

Jorge Barrios: "When they told me the fight was going to be in Houston, I told them I don't care. We can have Rocky's family members as the judges and it's not going to make a difference. Come to the Toyota Center to watch the fight. I'm going to knock Rocky out in four rounds."
Rocky Juarez: "I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to box him and I'm also going to have to fight him. I'm faster than he is. I think I have the power to hurt him whether it's to the head or to the body. My punches are faster and more compact and will to get there first. They'll get him before his gets me. I just have to be very cautious when he's throwing those haymakers."

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