A pair of March 2008 fights defined the top of the Lightweight division prior to Pacquiao-Diaz. Nate Campbell scored an impressive upset of undefeated Juan Diaz to win the IBF, WBA, and WBO belts. The lineal and Ring champion, Joel Casamayor, rebounded from a terrible decision win over Jose Arman
first man to stop Joel Casamayor in a pitched, oft-forgotten, battle for the lineal Lightweight title. In his first defense, Marquez added the vacant WBO and WBA titles with a stoppage of Juan Diaz in what would be hailed by Ring Magazine, the BWAA, and multiple other outlets as the fight of the year.