Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz already had his next opponent well scouted by the time the fight was signed and sealed.

It was never a mystery that Russia’s Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov can punch, nor was Diaz taken aback by the suggestion made by his opponent that he won’t be able to handle his power.

“We’re ready for whatever he brings to the table,” Diaz insisted ahead of their showdown this weekend. “If he thinks he’s gonna come in and overwhelm me with his power, that’s not going to happen.”

Diaz was attempting his first defense of his IBF junior lightweight title versus Rakhimov (15-0, 12KOs), but on Friday the Mexican-American boxer was 3.6-pounds overweight and lost his title on the scale. The vacant belt will only be at stake for Rakhimov.

The fight airs live on DAZN this Saturday from Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California. The bout will be the first for Diaz (31-1, 15KOs) since his title winning effort in a 12-round decision over Tevin Farmer last January in Miami.

Rakhimov has been out of the ring even longer. The Russian knockout artist has not fought since a come-from-behind 8th round knockout of Azinga Fuzile in their Sept. 2019 title eliminator between unbeaten junior lightweights.

While the power edge goes to Rakhimov—at least on paper—Diaz boasts the stronger résumé and the richer amateur pedigree. The California native was a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic boxing team which competed in London, having since emerged as the sixth member from the squad to capture a major title.

It came on the second try for Diaz, who was outpointed by Gary Russell Jr. in their May 2018 featherweight title fight before moving up in weight. Five straight wins have followed, including the aforementioned victory over Farmer to join Olympic teammates Rau’Shee Warren, Errol Spence, Claressa Shields, Jose Ramirez and Jamel Herring to win a major title in the pros (Marcus Browne also won a secondary light heavyweight belt).

Diaz reached that point by facing every imaginable style in the amateurs and pros, including six former or current major titlists with wins over all but Russell.

“I’m going to show that I can take his shots and deliver as well,” vows Diaz. “Whatever they have in store, I will be able to adapt.” 

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox