Joseph 'Jo Jo' Diaz Jr. finally gets to make his first defence of the IBF super-featherweight title he won in January of 2020 when he faces Tajikistan's Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov on Saturday in Indio, California, live on DAZN across the globe.
But though the 28-year-old is adamant he is not taking Rakhimov for granted, he is already eyeing up other top champions at both 130lb and 135lb, and believes he is the only fighter among several calling out the WBA's super-feather titleholder Gervonta 'Tank' Davis who actually means it.
"I’m gonna be calling out all the champions after this fight," Diaz told DAZN's Chris Mannix just days before his championship main event.
"I feel like everybody is trying to call out Gervonta, but they’re not really trying. It’s all publicity. They don’t really want Gervonta because it’s a dangerous fight, he’s a dangerous fighter. Those people are still on the rise and don’t really want Gervonta.
"As for myself, I see that he’s a tough fighter who wants the best and I want the same thing. So, let’s get it on. I feel like that would be a really entertaining fight for the fans.
"Jo Jo Diaz vs. Gervonta Davis — that’s the fight I want next after this one."
'Tank' not only holds world gold at 130lb, but is also the current WBA lightweight champion and has been linked with unification fights at 135lb with fellow unbeaten young stars such as Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and the current king of the pile, unified champion Teofimo Lopez Jr.
It remains to be seen whether Gervonta's next fight is at lightweight or junior lightweight. However, if Diaz wants to be in the conversation, an emphatic maiden world title defence against stern opposition in Rakhimov is a must.
You can watch Mannix's entire conversation with Diaz right now — plus Diaz vs. Rakhimov live on Saturday — with a DAZN subscription.