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11/06/2004 Archived Entry: "Pat Doljanin: David Diaz vs. Demetrius Hopkins and Al Gonzales vs. Oscar Diaz February 4!"
Pat Doljanin: David Diaz vs. Demetrius Hopkins and Al Gonzales vs. Oscar Diaz February 4!
By Juan C. Ayllon
Clockwise from top left to right, David Diaz (25-0-0, 13 KOs) [figure on right stopping Ener Julio], Demetrius Hopkins (16-0-1, 6 KOs), Oscar Diaz (18-1-0, 11 KOs) and Al Gonzales (15-1-1, 7 KOs) [on left vs. Hopkins]
(Chicago, Illinois): Pat Doljanin, co-manager of Al "Speedy" Gonzales just called to say that a double header he's been hoping for is now becoming a reality: David Diaz versus Demetrius Hopkins and Al Gonzales versus Oscar Diaz! The date? February 4, 2005. The location? : Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. The television venue? : Sho-Box on Showtime.
"It would be nice for the local papers--the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times--to give some local fighters some ink other than Andrew Golotta. If I hear Golotta's name one more time, I think I'll puke," said Doljanin. "This event will give Chicago fighters national coverage and added legitimacy," he continued.
Pat had previously heard that the offer had been made to Diaz. However, he didn't know anything else about it until Gonzales' co-manager, Albert Falcon talked with him today. "Albert told me that David was definitely fighting Hopkins. I asked 'how do you know?' He said that he saw Diaz at the fights last night and he told him it that they were definitely fighting."
Demetrius Hopkins is a nephew of undisputed Middlweight Champion of the World, Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins owns a disputed technical decision win over Gonzales.
Now, Doljanin is fairly confident that the bout between Oscar Diaz and his fighter, Al Gonzales, is set. Even though the contract is not signed as of yet, 8 Count Promotions promoter Dominic Pesoli said that he talked with [promoter] Dino Duva and was assured that it's "...a done deal." So, although Pat's a little nervous about the unfinished paperwork, he's very excited about what this show featuring David Diaz versus Demetrius Hopkins as the main event and Al Gonzales versus Oscar Diaz as the co-main event.
David Diaz confirmed his intent on a subsequent phone conversation with this writer. He said, "We're going to be fighting Demetrius Hopkins in February, if I'm not mistaken. I haven't signed anything yet; it's just by word of mouth right now. We're supposed to be getting the contract any day now. We'll just sign on the dotted line."
Diaz continued: "We just got a fight--I don't know who I'll be fighting yet--on December third...and hopefully in February, too."
Either way, things are looking exciting for two up and coming prospects, as well as for Chicago boxing in general. Don't miss it!
Photos of David Diaz, Al Gonzales and Demetrius Hopkins courtesy of Edward Zajac
Photo of Oscar Diaz courtesy of http://www.duvaboxing.com
