Trainer Joel Diaz says his work with new charge Avni Yildirim will shock the world when he takes on WBC/WBA super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens in Florida on Saturday February 27, live worldwide on DAZN (except Mexico).
Diaz teamed up with Yildirim (21-2 12 KOs) late in October 2019 but due to the COVID pandemic, the showdown with Canelo will be their first fight together after 18 months of work, with Yildirim’s last action coming in February 2019 when he lost by technical decision to Anthony Dirrell for the vacant WBC strap in Minnesota.
Inactivity might be a hindrance to many ahead of taking on the pound-for-pound number one, but Diaz is happy that they have been able to work on the Turkish man’s arsenal and rid him of his ‘Mr Robot’ style behind closed doors, and Diaz believes that fight fans and pundits will meet a new Avni Yildirim on February 27 – one that’s ready to shock the world against Canelo (54-1-2 36 KOs).
“Avni came to Indio and in the first week of training he fell in love with my work,” said Diaz. “He was the happiest guy I’ve ever met because this guy is not only a gym rat and a hard worker, but he’s a smart fighter, he loves learning. A lot of the things he never learned in his career, he’s learned them now, and he loves the work I put in, and it doesn’t matter how hard the work is, he never complains.
“That’s the reason I like Avni, any trainer would like to have him, he just does what you tell him to do. He’s a true soldier – you tell him to do something, he just does it.
“Avni may be an underdog but he doesn’t care what anybody says, he’s fighting for his country and he’s going to shock the world.
“He’s a completely different fighter from when he fought Dirrell and Chris Eubank Jr. I said to him, you are a physically stronger guy than Dirrell but you had no defense. That’s why they called him ‘Mr Robot’, but there’s no robot in him now, I can tell you. I made a complete transformation because I dedicated time to him. The COVID situation helped him in a way because there was nothing to do, there were no fights, so just to keep him busy we would go to the gym and work on technique and making him a better fighter.”
Never say never in boxing. Anything is possibles but remember, he’s gonna need to punish Canelo to TAKE the title.
Actually I think it’s safe to say never in this one.
You may be right but back in 1986 no one gave Lloyd Honeyghan a chance to beat Donald Curry who at that time was 25 and 0 and his biggest threat was Hagler.
Good point. Another good example was Dave Tiberi vs. James Toney. Tiberi was expected to be nothing but a stay-busy fight for Toney. Toney did get the decision though in an absolute robbery. Even Toney now admits he lost that fight. The Honeyghan-Curry or Douglas Tyson type upsets are few and far between though. I like seeing upsets, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Yildirim pull one here, but I’d be very surprised if he was even competitive against Canelo.
I remember that fight what a shame they didn’t give that guy his glory. That’s one thing I hate about boxing is a crooked judge!all judges should swear on there kids they will be fair,because as a former fighter we but are life on the line,just to be robbed, that decision should be overturned today,
Yeah I really felt bad for Tiberi in that one. Toney didn’t seem prepared for the constant pressure that Tiberi put on him. I remember Alex Wallau and Dan Dierdorf saying that it was such a mismatch that Vegas didn’t even have a line on that fight. Seemed like the stars were aligned for Tiberi that day, expect for the two judges who scored it for Toney. Tiberi never fought again after that.
Alvarez will be ready and usually is ready at all times. Sorry, but Alvarez comes out on top in this one no matter how you slice it.
Arturo: One can’t realistically compare Honeyghan to Yildirim?
Honeyghan was unbeaten and won a fight four months before fighting and beating Curry. Yildirim lost his last fight which was two years ago.
You’re right, never say never, but I really can’t see Yildrim winning this.
He’s not much of a boxer/mover, is a relatively light puncher and isn’t the most durable fighter.
Only way he wins is if Canelo doesn’t train, comes in massively hungover and lies down, even then Canelo will probably still get a technical decision due to a ‘foul’.
Otherwise, Canelo stops him pretty quickly.
Diaz is suppose to say dumb shit like this its his fighter he should show confidence but even he knows the outcome already
Yes, riding the confidence train is all part of promoting, selling tickets, and “pumping” up a fighter. Nothing new in the sport.
the only shock would be canelo breaking both hands on avni’s head, canelo by ko no more then 3 rds
yeah and im the tooth fairy….
doubt it
What else we can expect from Yildirim’s trainer?
Also, for promotions purpose, Joel is publicly expressing his confidence in his charge, but not too deep in his mind he knows how slim his chances are. Nice try Joel, but better be preparing your words of consolation for Yildirim.
Pobrecito, but at least his family will cheer for him while catching a “beatdown” from Canelo.
JOEL DIAZ, comedian. I suggest he keeps his day job.
The only shock in this fight will be the shock Avni Yildirim and his team gets when they realise Yildirim is just there because he was handpicked and nothing is going their way and Yildirim is getting pummeled more and more as the fight goes on.
Mismatch and a joué of a fight.. Canelo is gonna punish him to the body till he quits mid fight. Yldirim is tough but Canelo’s body punching mixed with Yldirim’s robotic style will end the fight quickly.
Yildirim is a live dog in this one! People discounting him for his L against Dirrell need to watch that fight again. Canelo hasn’t faced a pressure come forward fighter in any of his recent fights that I recall. I liked Yildirim in the pocket combinations, he did well cutting the ring off, look Dirrell was fighting Yildimir’s fight, he also showed a good chin and durability, a will to trade to land his own combos and up until the headbutt stoppage Yildimir looked good for the full 12 I had it 96-94 Yildimir. If Yildimir can take Canelo’s power in the first few rounds then I see him pressuring Canelo the full 12. Canelo will likely avoid the inside fighting and will counter, slip and move all night a la Mayweather for the decision. Yildimir will be the bigger natural Super Middleweight in this fight.
Come on guys. No way he’s coming close to beating Canelo. Show me a trainer that doesn’t talk their guy up, and I’ll show you a s**t trainer.