Diale faces Francisco in Mexico

ARDEN Diale’s visit to Mexico last year resulted in frustration and was derailed in the biggest fight of his career, a crack at a coveted world crown.

The 23-year-old Filipino attempts to redeem his lost glory as he once again sets foot in Mexico, for a 10-round bout against Juan Francisco. Diale is 18-6-3 with five knockouts, while Estrada is 21-1 with 16 knockouts.

On Feb. 26, 2011, Diale challenged then World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion Julio Cesar Miranda. Diale, who was the WBO Oriental titlist that time, shocked the hometown crowd by knocking down the tough Miranda in the first round. But Miranda stood up and sent Diale to the canvas once in the third and twice in the fourth before the fight was stopped.

This time, Diale is looking for a different outcome and a chance to prove that he deserves another shot at a world title.

Diale was supposed to face World Boxing Association flyweight champion Hernan “Tyson” Marquez today but Marquez backed out after he was mandated to face interim champion Juan Carlos Reveco.

After Diale’s heartbreaking loss to Miranda last year, he has been on a roll, winning his last four fights, including wins over prospects Lolito Sonsona and Mhar Jhun Makahilig. He captured the RP crown and International Boxing Federation (IBF) Pan Pacific Youth flyweight belts in the process. Aside from Miranda, Diale has fought some of the elite of his division like Rodel Mayol and current interim IBF light flyweight king Johnriel Casimero.

The 22-year-old Estrahas won his last three fights after suffering his first defeat agaisnt Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. last year.