By G. Leon

Boxingtalk.com has been informed that undefeated WBA lightweight titlist Juan "The Baby Bull" Diaz suffered a cut over his left eye in sparring earlier today. Diaz was scheduled to defend his title against Ebo Elder as part of ESPN's stellar pay-per-view show just one week from today.  Diaz's trainer Ronnie Shields has confirmed to Boxingtalk that the cut required stitches and the fight is definitely OFF. REMEMBER WHERE YOU HEARD IT FIRST! (4:30 PM ET) 

Undefeated bantamweight Raul Martinez has been inserted into the opening television slot for the April 23 ESPN pay-per-view fight card from Caesars Palace, it was announced today by Main Events CEO Kathy Duva.  Martinez will challenge Larry Olvera (5-3-2, 4 KO’s) in a six round bout, which was selected for the broadcast following the cancellation of the Diaz-Elder WBA world championship contest due to a cut suffered by Diaz in sparring.


Martinez (7-0, 6 KO’s) has stopped three opponents in the first round.  The  23-year-old San Antonio, TX native is a two-time U.S. National Amateur Champion who compiled an amateur record of 70-20-1 before turning pro in May 2003.  In his last bout on March 10, 2005, he stopped Jose Luis Cardenas in three rounds (TKO 3).