‘Sugar’ Nunez’s Homecoming Title Defense Against Christopher Diaz-Velez This Saturday On September 6

Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez makes his first defense of his IBF super featherweight title against #15-ranked contender Christopher Diaz-Velez (30-5, 19 KOs) this Saturday, September 6, 2025, in Los Mochis, Mexico.

The start time for Saturday’s Nunez vs. Diaz-Velez card is at 9:00 P.M. ET on DAZN.

Undercard

• Pedro Guevara vs. Adrian Curiel
• Yoali Mejia Mosqueda vs. German Valenzuela Barreras
• Gabriela Tellez vs. Rocio Guerrero Dominguez
• Hector Beltran vs. Moises Martinez Zumaya

Nunez’s Title Reign Begins

“There are some huge fights to look forward to. ‘Sugar’ Nunez is defending his title for the first time,” said promoter Eddie Hearn via Matchroom, talking about Sugar Nunez’s defense against Diaz.

Fans on social media view this fight as a decent first defense for Nunez (28-1, 27 KOs) after he recently captured the vacant IBF 130-lb title with a 12-round unanimous decision win over Masanori Rikiishi on May 28, 2025, in Yokohama, Japan.

Nunez-Diaz-Velez is viewed as a gimme first defense for ‘Sugar’ Nunez, and fans want to see Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn step him up after this against a better opponent, like Raymond Ford.

Diaz-Velez, 30, suffered a recent 10-round unanimous decision loss to Henry Lebron on December 7, 2024. In Diaz’s last fight, he defeated veteran Jose Antonio Meza (9-11, 2 KOs) by an eight-round unanimous decision on April 18, 2025.

Earlier in Diaz’s career, he was viewed by many fans as a potential world champion. He started off with a 23-0 record and looked impressive. However, Diaz was brought down to Earth by Masayuki Ito in a 12-round unanimou decision loss on July 28, 2018.

Díaz’s career hasn’t been the same since that defeat, as he has been beaten by Shakur Stevenson, Emanuel Navarrete, Isaac Dogboe, and Henry Lebron. The shine is off Diaz’s career, and his low ranking with the WBC at 130 reflects that.

It’s a little surprising that Hearn is using him as a challenger for ‘Sugar’ Nunez to make his defense against, rather than a higher-ranked contender. The logic behind that move may be due to Diaz being well-known to boxing fans who have been following the sport since 2018. Many of them would remember Diaz during his best years, and possibly have seen his fights against Shakur, Dogboe, and Navarrete. 

‘Sugar’ Nunez has won his last 18 fights since suffering his lone career defeat against
Hiram Gallardo on June 29, 2018. It was a six-round unanimous decision.

What’s Next for Nunez

#4 IBF contender Raymond Ford thinks ‘Sugar’ Nunez isn’t interested in fighting him, saying on X, “I don’t think Sugar Nunez Wants To Fight Me. Walk In The Park.” Nunez choosing to defend against Diaz-Velez would reinforce the view some fans have that he’s ducking Ford.

‘Sugar’ Nunez’s Last Six Fights

• Masanori Rikiishi: W-UD 12
• Miguel Marriaga: W-RTD 6
• Oscar Escandon: W-TKO 2
• Jesus Martin Ceyca: W-KO 2
• Willmank Canonico Brito: W-TKO 10
• Adrian Pacheco Perez: W-TKO 10