Juan Diaz and Mike Alvarado opponents named for March 19 fights

Former world champions Mike Alvarado and Juan Diaz have their opponents set for the March 19 fights in Houston, Texas, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

Former unified lightweight titleholder Diaz (40-4, 19 KOs), known as the “Baby Bull,” will face Mexico’s Fernando Garcia (30-7-2, 19 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight match.

Former junior welterweight titleholder Alvarado (34-4, 23 KOs), of Denver, will face Saul Corral (19-6, 10 KOs), of Mexico, in an eight-round welterweight fight that will open the Unimas telecast.

“It was a serious rotator cuff injury that caused the long layoff and this is the first step back,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. “He’s hoping to regain the momentum he had before the layoff when he was on the verge of a world title shot. Diaz is ready to go. He feels 100 percent. He’s really amped up to get back in the ring and get this going again. Because the fight is in Houston, there’s more motivation for him to perform as best as he can. The place holds about 3,500 and I think we’ll be full, and Diaz has always loved to fight at home.”

Alvarado has since been to rehab and is said to be clean and sober as he attempts to salvage his career.

“His issues were outside the ring, not an injury like Diaz had,” Moretti said. “But all indications are that he’s taken care of them and he’s been in the gym. We’ve had no calls or reason to doubt him. He’s stayed on the straight path and he knows he has a lot to prove to himself and to his fans. This is the first step to doing that.

“He doesn’t want to go out like he did against Rios. He has pride. It’s a different situation that Juan Diaz’s situation but how do you not give [Alvarado] another opportunity?”