Lynn Harvey in for a shock warns promoter as European title fight date is finalised

Lynn Harvey [5(4)-1(0)] will be in for a shock when she experiences just how tough Catalina Diaz is come March 23rd and will need the extra four weeks prep warns the Spaniard’s promoter Jose Castro.

The Dubliner’s EBU European strawweight title fight has been finalised for Saturday March 23rd just outside of Madrid having previously looked set for February 27th in Diaz’s native Cadiz.

Harvey has what looks like a very winnable fight with Diaz [4(0)-2(0)] but will have a very hard night according to Castro.

In fairness to the PBK Castro boss, he believes his fighter is for a similar surprise when the pair go to war for the 105lbs title in the Spanish capital in just under two months time.

Both fighters make the step up from relative journeyman level to the continental pinnacle and Castro suggests it could prove a shock to the system for both.

“These two fighters are hard boxing machines and I think it’s safe to say both are in for a strong shock,” the promoter told Irish-Boxing.com. 

When the Irish and the Spanish collide at European level it is never any easy night for the Irish fighters – with Bernard Dunne and Carl Frampton’s fights versus Kiko Martinez coming to mind along with Paul McCloskey’s bout with Daniel Rasila.

Castro claims Harvey could face similar opposition and notes that Diaz is not only tough, but experienced beyond her six-fight ledger.

“Catalina is very like an Irish boxer,” he explained.

“Catalina has a long history in contact sport. She mixes training, with work and family life – her husband, who is also her coach, and her children,” he adds before suggesting how motivated his fighter will be.

Fighting for the genuine European title, it’s a massive achievement in itself. However, a win will also bring with it a high ranking with the WBC – while the fighters only need to look at previous champ Joanna Pastrana who moved from the European title to the IBF World title in just over a year.

“Winning the title would prove a great triumph for Catalina and Spain,” promises Castro. The winner will carry the real European title out of the ring in Madrid on March 23rd.”

Team Diaz headhunted ‘The Hunter’ with regard to fighting for the vacant belt and there are some suggesting that the Spaniards may be underestimating Harvey – but Castro is full of respect when talking about the 37-year-old Dub.

“We know Lynn is a very good boxer and also very strong. I think it will be a good fight.”

There will also be another EBU title on the line for two Spanish fighters on the Madrid card and Castro explains PBK Castro Promotions are all about promoting women.

“We are one of the promoters that try to boost female professional boxing in Spain,” he said.

“We devote a lot of effort into promoting women in sport, in this case female boxing.”