The message is clear: Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz wants to face Oscar Valdez.

Diaz, a former three-time title challenger, is looking for a big opportunity after a competitive unanimous decision loss to IBF junior lightweight titleholder Eduardo Nunez in September. 

Diaz, 30-6 (19 KOs), has fought for the world title on three occasions. Now, after losing a close fight to Nunez, Diaz is hoping to land a big fight, and he has an idea. It is an idea that stems from his love of making action fights. 

“When I grew up, I saw Tito [Felix Trinidad], [Miguel] Cotto, and people enjoy it more when they are clashing against each other, when they are fighting,” Diaz said. “That is why I want to fight Oscar Valdez. That is the type of fight that will have people standing up from the first round until the end. I am that type of fighter. I like to fight.”

Both Diaz and Valdez are Top Rank alumni.

BoxingScene reported Valdez is a promotional free agent, parting ways with his longtime promoter, Top Rank. Valdez, 33-3 (24 KOs), returned to action in September, defeating Richard Medina via unanimous decision. It was the 35-year-old Valdez’s first fight back since being stopped by Emanuel Navarrete.

Diaz, 31, spent much of his developmental career with Top Rank and under their banner fought for two world titles, against Masayuki Ito at junior lightweight and Navarrete at featherweight. His most recent title fight against Nunez was a Matchroom Boxing show in Mexico. 

“I am the type of fighter who feels the fans deserve to have a great fight,” Diaz said. “If they give time to go see the fight, they need to get some that they are happy for.”

The idea that the bout pits two veterans against each other, reviving the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry, is exciting. Diaz, a Puerto Rican, resides in Orlando, Florida, and Valdez is from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. For Diaz, his last performance challenging Nunez inspired him to continue to take more challenges, despite having six losses to his name. 

“I am looking for big challenges,” Diaz said. “The ‘Sugar’ Nunez fight proved to me that I have a lot left in the tank.”