:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56670793/846213020.0.jpg)
Joseph Diaz Jr will now face Rafael Rivera on Saturday night, as part of the Canelo-Golovkin undercard on HBO pay-per-view at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Original opponent Jorge Lara is out with a back injury, and Rivera (25-0-2, 16 KO) had been in training for a fight the following week, so he’s ready to go.
The 23-year-old Rivera, from Tijuana, has beaten mostly nothing opponents and veteran journeymen like Ruben Tamayo, Miguel Tamayo, Jose Luis Araiza, and Giovanni Caro. In 2015, he scored what was probably his best career victory, over former titleholder Wilfredo Vazquez Jr, a 10-round split decision.
Diaz (24-0, 13 KO) will still be hoping that a win will put him into a world title fight either in his next outing, or within his next couple. The 24-year-old former U.S. Olympian will be the clear favorite, but he was the favorite against Lara, too, and he hasn’t prepared for Rivera.