HBO Championship Boxing

Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz

February 28, 2009

Toyota Center

Houston, Texas

On HBO

Featured Bouts:

IBO Lightweight Title Bout (12 Rds)

Champion Juan Diaz (34-1, 17 KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KOs)

WBA Featherweight Title Bout (12 Rds)

Champion Chris John (42-0-1, 22 KOs) vs. Rocky Juarez (28-4, 20 KOs)

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Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz Set For

February 28th Edition of HBO's World Championship Boxing

LOS ANGELES - In 2008, Mexican icon Juan Manuel Marquez solidified his place among boxing's elite and

became Mexico's number one fighter by knocking out Joel Casamayor and winning a championship in a third

weight class. As 2009 opens, Marquez will not be resting on his laurels, as he accepted the challenge to

face former three-time lightweight champion Juan "The Baby Bull" Diaz on Saturday, February 28th in what

promises to be an early Fight of The Year candidate.

"This fight between Marquez and Diaz will shake the lightweight division to its core and truly determine the

best 135-pounder in the world," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "As a fan, I

can't wait to see this fight."

Marquez vs. Diaz, a 12 round bout for the Ring Magazine World Lightweight Championship, is presented by

Golden Boy Promotions and will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10 pm

ET / 7 pm PT.

Mexico's premier fighter and a future Hall of Famer, Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KO's) has

signified excellence for over 15 years and in three weight classes. A world champion at featherweight and

junior lightweight, the 35-year-old Mexico City native made an immediate impact at 135 pounds when he won

the Ring Magazine World Lightweight Championship by becoming the first man to stop Cuban great Joel

Casamayor on September 13, 2008.

"Juan Diaz is a talented young fighter with a bright future," said Marquez. "But this is still my time and I am

not about to let Diaz take my belt away from me."

Just nine years old when Marquez made his pro debut, 25-year old Juan Diaz (34-1, 17 KO's) has roared

through the pro ranks during his eight-year career and built a stellar reputation as one of the fight game's

most exciting young stars. The Former Three-Time World Lightweight Champion defended his crown seven

times, beating the likes of fellow World Champions Acelino Freitas and Julio Diaz along the way. In his last

bout in September of 2008, "The Baby Bull" thrilled his hometown fans at the Toyota Center in Houston,

Texas with a dominant 12 round decision win over Australian warrior Michael Katsidis.

"Juan Manuel is one of the greats in the game and it's an honor to fight him, but I will be victorious on

February 28th," said Diaz.

For more information please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

- Press Release issued by Golden Boy Promotions

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Chris John And Rocky Juarez Set To Battle

On February 28 In Houston On Marquez-Diaz Co-Feature Live On HBO 

Unbeaten WBA World Featherweight Champion John

Risks Crown In U.S. Debut Against Hometown Hero Juarez

LOS ANGELES - It's the homecoming fight Rocky Juarez has dreamed of ever since he turned pro and on

Saturday, February 28th at Houston's Toyota Center, the 2000 US Olympic Silver medalist will have an

opportunity to face the premier featherweight in the world, unbeaten WBA World Featherweight Champion

Chris John in a 12 round championship bout.

"Chris John has been one of boxing's most consistent world champions and we're excited to finally bring him

to the United States so the fans here can see him in person," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden

Boy Promotions. "He's in for a tough night against Rocky Juarez, who is more determined than ever to

capture a world championship. With John looking to impress U.S. fans and Juarez looking for his first world

championship, this has all the makings of a great fight."

The pride of Indonesia, Chris "The Dragon" John (42-0-1, 22 KO's) is one of the longest reigning champions

in boxing today having won his WBA World Featherweight Crown in 2003 with a win over Oscar Leon. John

has since defended his title ten times against the likes of standouts such as Osamu Sato, Derrick Gainer,

Hiroyuki Enoki and pound for pound great Juan Manuel Marquez, who John decisioned in 2006. Now, fighting

for the first time in his ten year career in the United States, the 29-year-old is ready for the big names that

will cement his legacy even further.

"This is an important moment in my life and my career - to not only defend my title against a worthy

challenger like Rocky Juarez, but to do so fighting in the United States for the first time," said John. "I

promise all my fans that I will give my best as always and I hope to make even more fans in Houston."

One of the most exciting and courageous warriors in the game today, Ricardo Rocky Juarez (28-4, 20 KO's)

has been thrilling fight fans ever since he took home a Silver Medal for the United States in the 2000 Olympic

Games. Juarez went on to win his first 23 pro fights and though he would later fall short in hard-fought title

fights against Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Humberto Soto and Juan Manuel Marquez, a stirring 11th round

TKO of Former World Champion Jorge Rodrigo Barrios last September propelled the 28-year-old Houston

native back into the world title picture. On February 28th, he hopes to finally strap championship gold around

his waist.

"I'm grateful for this opportunity and I've always felt that I'm at my best when my back's against the wall," said

Juarez, who will be competing in his fifth world title bout on February 28th. "I'm fighting this fight as if it's my

last and I won't disappoint my hometown fans. I will win the title on February 28th."

John vs. Juarez, a 12 round bout for John's WBA World Featherweight Championship, is the televised co-

feature on the Marquez vs. Diaz undercard. Marquez vs. Diaz, a 12 round bout for Marquez' Ring Magazine

World Lightweight Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate

and Southwest Airlines. The world title bouts will take place on February 28th from the Toyota Center in

Houston, Texas and be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10 pm ET / 7 pm

PT.

Tickets for Marquez vs. Diaz, priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25, are available for purchase online at

www.ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX and select Houston area Randalls locations as well

as the Toyota Center Box Office.

For more information please visit www.goldenboypromotions.com.

- Press Release issued by Golden Boy Promotions

Subject to change

(2/11/09)