"Hellboy" Diagan Challenges Oscar Collazo for WBO 105 World Title August 26 in Puerto Rico
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 27 Jul 2023
Skilled Filipino warrior "Hellboy" Garen Diagan (10-3, 5 KO's) of General Santos City will wage the most important fight of his life when he challenges unbeaten Puerto Rican Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo (7-0, 5 KO's) for the WBO Minimumweight World Title in one month's time, Saturday August 26, at the famed Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The 12-rounder battle will be a great chance for the serious and focused "Hellboy" Garen Diagan to thrill his boxing-loving homeland, as well as his family and friends with the fantastic gift of a world title crown.
Could he do it? His many fans in Gensan and elsewhere think he can!
However, the mission is not an easy one at all.
That's because Diagan will be trading blows against the very same young, hard-swinging, undefeated fighter who punished, stopped and dethroned fellow Mindanao fighter Melvin Jerusalem, forcing the Pinoy champ to quit on his corner during their hard-fought battle two months ago in Indio, California. That was tough to watch.
So, the rumble might be tough, although the fighting capacity, quality and power of Hellboy are undeniable.
COLLAZO IS SO TOUGH TOO
Backed by Miguel Cotto of Cotto Promotions and Oscar de la Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar Collazo sees his clash against his Filipino challenger as the chance to make the first defense of his world title in front of his fans in his native land of Puerto Rico.
Will Oscar Collazo be successful?
Last month of June, Collazo was full of joy wearing a smile and a white suite with pink shirt at the moment when he formally received his WBO Mininumweight world title in Puerto Rico with the WBO President Francisco "Paco" Varcarcel in attendance.
“I am extremely happy and I can't believe it," Collazo said at the time.
"I have worked very hard to get this title. I want to thank my family, my parents, my wife and my team. Also, I want to thank Miguel Cotto Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and the WBO for guiding me.
"I am a champion and now, I will work harder to defend it for the pride of my family and all of Puerto Rico," said Collazo.
Meanwhile, "Hellboy" Garen Diagan - who in his last fight claimed a WBA Asia Minimuymweight Belt - wants to bring his talent to Puerto Rico, to dethrone their champion with skills, speed and the strength from his warrior heart.
Collazo and Diagan, both 26-year-old, both southpaw fighters, both about the same height, will surely give one heck of a fight in Puerto Rico; and who will emerge victorious, having the right to be strapped with the prestigious WBO Minimumweight World Title belt?
Surely, it could be tougher for Hellboy because he is the one who has to travel all the way to Puerto Rico for the fight. But his youth and fortitude will be with him.
The televised show, probably worldwide on DAZN, will add up to the legendary and friendly boxing rivalry between Puerto Rico and the Philippines, a rivalry highlighted by the historic clash of Manny Pacquiao of Gensan Against Oscar Collazo's mentor and promoter Miguel Cotto. You remember who won?
Can boy Hellboy Diagan win too?
Will Collazo vs Hellboy Diagan will be an exciting and thrilling on fight to watch? I think yes! May the Best Man Win!
The author, senior boxing writer Carlos Costa of Panama, can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com and whatsapp 09184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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