Headline NewsOpponent Watch

Catalina Diaz hits out at Lynn Harvey for underestimating her – promises defeat for Dubliner


Catalina Diaz has told Lynn Harvey to try and enjoy her trip to sunny Spain next month because she will returning to Dublin under a dark cloud and disappointed. 

The Spaniard and ‘The Hunter’ will battle it out for the EBU European strawweight title on the top of a fight night on the outskirts of Madrid come Saturday March 23rd and the confident home fighter is adamant the blue belt won’t be a souvenir her opponent will be bringing back through Dublin Airport.

Indeed, the 38-year-old told Irish-boxing.com that she believes she will stop the Kilbarrack native in the later stages of their fight in Venturada.

Having read Harvey’s interviews with this webstite, the Andalucia native believes her opponent, who is looking to make history by become Ireland’s first female EBU champion, is underestimating her.

READ: Monster Lynn Harvey ready to maul her way to Euro title

Diaz [4(0)-2(0)] warns the Jay Byrne-managed fighter with star potential that she too loves to go to war and, not only will she be able to match the Dubliner in the aggression stakes, she come out on top.

“I know that Lynn comes to Spain to win and that she likes a war, much the same as me,” Diaz said.

“My style of boxing is aggressive. I like to apply pressure. Lynn is underestimating me and she is going to get beat.”

“I see the fight as very hard and competitive early on but I will wear her down and go for a stoppage late on,” she adds before suggesting Harvey should make the most of her time in Spain.

“Lynn will go home empty handed as the blue belt stays in Spain.”

“But I hope she enjoys her time in Spain and we will welcome her and her traveling fans with respect and good hospitality.”

Neither Harvey [5(4)-1(0)] nor her 4’11” opponent have ever fought at strawweight [105lbs/47.6kg] before as professionals – although both were National Elite Champions at light flyweight [105.8lbs/48kg] in the amateurs with same-day weigh-ins.

Both have been asked the drop down and, like her March 23rd opponent, Diaz claims the weight won’t be an issue.

“I am very happy to fight for Europe’s most prestigious title and to get the rewards of the work I have been putting in over the years.”

“I will not have any problems making the straweight limits. I am almost there now and I feel comfortable.”

dpg

logo may

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

x