Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (23-0, 15 KOs) is proud of his Puerto Rican heritage and is acutely aware of his homeland’s rich fighting history. Diaz, who fights Masayuki Ito (23-1-1, 12 KOs) on Saturday at the Kissimmee Civic Center for the vacant WBO junior lightweight world title, is hoping to become the fifth current male world champion from the “Island of Enchantment.”

In the 10-round co-feature, welterweight contender Artemio Reyes (25-2, 20 KOs) will face Brooklyn native Gabriel Bracero (24-3-1, 5 KOs). Diaz-Ito and Reyes-Bracero will stream live and exclusively in the United States at 9:30 ET on ESPN+, with undercard action set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. 

The undercard will include the professional debut of Vladimir Nikitin, the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist from Russia whose controversial quarterfinal decision win against Michael Conlan resulted in Conlan’s famous double middle-finger salute to the judges. Also appearing on the undercard will be bantamweight prospect Antonio Vargas (6-0, 3 KOs) against Aaron Echeveste (5-2, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder, super lightweight Jose Lopez (10-0, 8 KOs) taking on Jorge Rodriguez (10-2, 10 KOs), and Henry Lebron (4-0, 3 KOs) versus Luis Diaz (2-5, 1 KO) in a six-round super featherweight bout.

Many of the fighters from Saturday’s card worked out for the media Wednesday atKissimmee Boxing Gym. This is what they had to say.

Christopher Diaz

On Fighting For His First World Title – “I worked hard for this. This is my moment, and nobody is going to take away from me what I know is mine. That vacant title has a first name and last name on it. That name is Christopher Diaz.”

About Fighting in Kissimmee, Fla. – “I’m super happy and excited about returning to fight in Kissimmee. Here, I feel like I’m at home. I come ready to give my fans a great fight.”