Former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz will face off against two time world champion Jesus Chavez in the ten round main event at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion on Saturday, September 26th, it was announced today by Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions. “We’re thrilled to be present this terrific bout between these two Chicago champions,” said Pesoli. “David is incredibly popular here in Chicago , his win over Morales was fought in front of 10,000 local fight fans. Jesus has fought all over the world but never in Chicago where he was raised. He’s always wanted to come back and fight here and has expressed to me how much this means to him.”

“This event truly encompasses the terrific support the Chicagoland fight fans have shown towards 8 Count Productions for the last twelve years. Diaz vs. Chavez is a throwback to fights in Chicago featuring great local fighters that would pack the Chicago Stadium in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.”

Said the Chicago born and raised Diaz, “This fight means a great deal to me, the opportunity to come home and fight in front of the terrific Chicago fight fans. They’ve always been very supportive of me. Jesus has been a world class fighter for many years and the fans are going to see an outstanding Chicago style fight on September 26th.”

Currently promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Incorporated, Diaz, 34-2-1 (17KO’s), was undefeated for over three years before facing boxing’s finest, Manny Pacquiao, on June 28th in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although badly cut early in the bout, Diaz fought courageously throughout the fight before being stopped in the ninth round.

Diaz, a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team, won the WBC Interim Lightweight Title with a crushing tenth round stoppage of Jose Armando Santa Cruz on August 12, 2006 in Las Vegas . Shortly afterwards, the current titlist Joel Casamayor refused to face Diaz, resulting in Diaz being named the WBC Lightweight Champion.

The 33 year old Diaz, a graduate of Northwest Side’s Schurz High School, defended his belt against boxing legend Erik Morales on August 4, 2007 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont in front of a huge crowd of Chicagoland fight fans, winning a twelve round unanimous decision.

Prior to facing Pacquiao, Diaz won a ten round non-title decision over Ramon Montano in Las Vegas on March 15, 2008.

Chavez, born in Chihuahua, Mexico, raised in Chicago and currently based in Austin, Texas, brings a record of 44-5-0 (30KO’s) into the battle with Diaz. He first became world champion with a twelve round decision over Sirimongkol Singwancha on August 15, 2003 for the WBC Super Featherweight Title.

He won the IBF Lightweight Title with an eleventh round TKO of Leavander Johnson on September 17, 2005. Johnson passed away shortly after the bout.

Chavez lost the IBF Lightweight Title when his bout against Julio Diaz on February 3, 2007 was stopped due to a leg injury he suffered in the third round.

He returned to action in 2008, beating Daniel Jimenez on April 4th via ten round decision and knocking out Andres Ledesma in the ninth round on September 6th.

Most recently Chavez battled Australian brawler Michael Katsidis over seven rounds before being stopped on April 4, 2009.