Diego Magdaleno follows tip from manager to new trainer

The 26-year-old super featherweight from Las Vegas will work with Joel Diaz for his next fight, which still is to be determined. Diaz, who trains WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, is based out of Indio, Calif.

“I don’t want to leave Las Vegas, but I’m excited about getting going,” said Magdaleno (23-1, nine knockouts). “I’ve known Joel for a while, and we seemed to hit it off right away.”

The two worked together Monday in California, and Magdaleno came away impressed by Diaz’s knowledge and demeanor.

“It went really smooth,” Magdaleno said. “He’s a great motivator. He picks up the little things. If he sees me doing something wrong, he’ll stop and show me and explain to me what he saw and why I should change. I like that.”

Magdaleno, who split from longtime manager and trainer Pat Barry last month after his unsuccessful attempt to win the WBO title from Rocky Martinez in China on April 6, said new manager Frank Espinoza recommended Diaz.

“Frank knows him well, and he thought our personalities would mesh,” Magdaleno said. “I’m not sure when I’m going to fight next, but I need to get back in the gym and get myself ready for whatever Top Rank has planned for me.”

■u2007VEGAS FIGHT MEDIA TOURS — The promotional machines are gearing up for two major fall fights in Las Vegas, even though Vegas won’t be a stop on either tour.

On Thursday, Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) and Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) will be in Los Angeles to hype their Oct. 12 fight at the Thomas & Mack Center. They will be in Mexico City on Friday.

Tickets for the fight will go on sale at noon Friday at the Thomas & Mack box office and at UNLVTickets.com. Prices range from $50 to $800.

On June 24, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (44-0, 26 KOs) and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOs) will be in New York City to begin an 11-city tour over nine days to promote their Sept. 14 fight at the MGM Grand Garden. Ticket information is expected to be announced at the news conference.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.