GL: Congrats on your recent win, can you give us some thoights on your performance? "Thank you, I thought I did what I had to do, I took care of business, it's on to the next one and it's like I told you last time, I'm ready for that step up and I want that step up now. I'm 23-0 (19) and 2017 is going to be the year that I learn where I really belong in this game. I'm not here to talk sh*t, but this going to be my year, all I need is somebody to step up to the plate to fight me. So far the guys I want to fight don't want to fight me for whatever reason."
GL: Have you spoken with your people? Do you know when your next fight will take place?
Joel Diaz Jr: "Yeah I have, and I've told I'm going to be fighting again in the early part of next year, I just hope it will be that step up fight."
GL: There's a handful of interesting fights out there for you. Did you happen to catch the Ward-Kovalev show? What do you think about Maurice Hooker and how do you think a fight between the two of you would play out?
JD: "I'm a quiet guy and I keep to myself for the most part, I turned pro as a teenager and I really have not done much press, that's because I like to let my performances do the talking. But I saw that fight and Hooker was really lucky to get a draw. If I fought him in my next fight, I don't even know if I would really consider that a step up. To tell you the truth, I would prefer to fight Perez since he won the fight."
GL: Perez definitely won that fight. Are there any other fights that interest you? Who would you like your step up bout to come against?
JD: "Whoever my manager and promoter think is best will work, but I'd like to fight Juan Diaz or Felix Verdejo if it were up to me. Right now I can't really be too concerned with anything other than making sure I'm ready to take care of business against whoever is placed in front of me. I'm working hard every day with my coach Chris Byrd and I'm ready for anybody, anytime, anywhere."
GL: How do you feel fights with Juan Diaz or Verdejo play out?
JD: "It doesn't really make sense to talk about Verdejo now, I hope he's able to come back at full strength and I hope we can fight somewhere down the line, but there's now way they're going to match us in his first fight back. As for Diaz, I think that would be a great fight for the fans, I have a high level of respect for Juan Diaz, he always comes to fight, he throws a lot of punches and he's willing to fight the best. I'm glad you mentioned that fight, because I think it would be a great fight for me and most importantly the boxing fans."
GL: Is there anything you want to say in closing?
JD: "Thanks for the interview, I want to thank all my fans for the support, keep on the lookout for me, because I expect big things to happen for me in 2017."
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