When recent San Antonio world champions Josh Franco, Bam Rodriguez, and Mario Barrios were all asked who the next Alamo City native to get a world title would be. They answered unanimously, Rick "El Castigo '' Medina. Medina has now received the chance of a lifetime as he will battle former world champion and Olympian JoJo Diaz on October 21st in Inglewood, California, in the co-main event of the Alexis Rocha vs. Giovanni Santillian card.
"El Castigo", 15-1 (8), suffered the lone loss of his career to Raymond Ford back in 2022 on the undercard of Bam Rodriguez-Srisaket Sor Rungvisai at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio. The loss to Ford was described as a "learning lesson," according to Medina's trainer Rick Morones, who added, "Boxing is about styles, and this matchup is the type of style fight Medina thrives on." Medina, who has won twice since his lone setback, beating Stever Garagarza and rugged veteran Tony Lopez of Fort Worth, will move his camp to Las Vegas to train with legendary trainer Jorge Capetillo. "
Diaz, 33-4-1 (15), was linked to a fight with Austin native Floyd Schofield. That fight never materialized, and Medina seized the opportunity. Diaz, a South El Monte, California native, last fought in San Antonio in July and outpointed Jerry Perez. He held the IBF 130-Pound title from 2020 to 2021 when he lost it on the scales. Diaz was a member of the 2021 US Olympic Boxing team.