Ammeth Diaz vows to 'do a Duran' in IBF test
Ammeth Diaz has vowed to 'do a Duran' and prove he has 'Hands of Stone of his own' on Martin Gethin in their IBF final eliminator at Walsall Town Hall.
'Cloroformo' has vowed to put Walsall's British lightweight champion to sleep tonight and secure a second shot at IBF world title holder Miguel Vazquez.
Diaz visited the canvas once but took Vazquez the distance in his opponent's native Mexico last year and has vowed to reverse the decision should they meet again.
The Panamanian puncher has stopped 22 opponents over the 31 wins on his pro record but has also lost 11 times, seven inside the distance, in 43 paid contests.
The 29-year-old has shared a ring with the likes of Souleymane M'baye, Joan Guzman and Takehiro Shimada and has warned Gethin he will knock him out.
Diaz believes that will the first step to emulating his compatriot Duran, a four-weight world champion, who won his first crown against Brit Ken Buchanan in 1973.
He said: "Duran is like a god in Panama. Everybody loves him. He is not only the greatest fighter to come out of Panama, but he is one of the greatest fighters in history.
"He was a hero of mine when I was growing up as he was to any young fighter in Panama, everybody wanted to be like Duran because he was so exciting and aggressive.
"Duran beat a great British fighter in Ken Buchanan that started his reign and I will beat Gethin to get a rematch against Vazquez, then I will finally win the world title.
"This is a crucial fight for me and I'm not coming to England to lose. I will win by knockout."
Diaz turned pro after he had just turned 17 in 2000 and is no stranger to boxing overseas having competed in South America, Caribbean, the United States and Australia.
He has spent this week in West Bromwich after flying into England last weekend and, although a hostile crowd awaits, he isn't fazed at the prospect.
He said: "I'm not worried about the crowd at all. I have fought in plenty of countries and I have the experience to deal with it.
"I'm really looking forward to boxing in England, it will be a great win for me in a foreign country."
Diaz is not taking Gethin likely and he has studied videos of the Englishman with his trainers to give him an idea of what lies ahead on fight night.
He said: "I have seen plenty of fights of Martin Gethin, on video and on You Tube. He's a very strong boxer and I'm looking forward to the test.
"My trainer has been watching plenty of fights and working out the plan to beat him. We have seen plenty of weaknesses that we'll be working hard on.
"I won't give a lot away, but speed will be a big factor in beating Gethin."
Tickets for the show, called 'Ready To Silence The World,' are priced at £40 and £75 and are available from Walsall Town Hall Box Office on 0845 111 2900 or on the door tonight.
The show will also be live and exclusive on BoxNation on Sky Channel 437 and Virgin Channel 546. Join at www.boxnation.com.
