Juan Diaz signs with Top Rank

Former Lightweight champion Juan Diaz has signed a promotional deal with Top Rank according to Dan Rafael.

Diaz is scheduled to fight Juan Santiago on October 19th as part of the Mike Alvarado – Ruslan Provodnikov undercard in Broomfield, Colorado.

Diaz told ESPN.com that he signed an 18-month, six-fight deal with Top Rank, mainly because of his close relationship with company vice president Carl Moretti, who had worked with Diaz during the early part of his career when they were both with Main Events.

“I’ve known Carl for a long time, since the Main Events days [in the early 2000s], and it kind of made it easier for me to have more trust in Top Rank since I dealt with Carl before,” Diaz told ESPN.com. “I generally think the conversations I’ve had with Carl are genuine, and I believe he and Top Rank want the best for my career, so we signed the deal and I’m looking forward to being with them.”

“Juan and his team are great people to work with, and together we have a strategy that will bring Juan to the top of the [lightweight] division once again,” Moretti said. “Juan Diaz is still one of the most recognizable names to all boxing fans because of his fan-friendly style and the positive manner in which he carries himself in and out of the ring.

“What’s there not to like about him and the excitement he creates? For Top Rank, this was no-brainer to be involved with Juan and his career.”

“They’re just waiting to see what guys are available for me to challenge,” Diaz said. “Top Rank already promised me a title shot next year. Whether it be the summer or the end of next year, I know I’ll get that title shot, which put the exclamation point on everything, so I said, ‘Let’s do it,’ and I signed.

“I’m a realist. I know that I have a good name in boxing, but I’m not Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather. I can’t be a free agent for the rest of my fighting career. I knew I’d have to settle down with one promoter and let them help me in my road to becoming a champion again.”