Manny Pacquiao, David Diaz brace for war

June 15, 2008

IT WILL be raining punches in Las Vegas when champion “Dangerous” David Diaz and challenger Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao lock mitts on June 29 (Manila time) for the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title.

At least that’s how ring experts and the combatants themselves see the fight turning out.

“Two world champions, at the top of their game, matching each other in speed, power, stamina and courage is a recipe for a great fight,” said promoter Bob Arum.

“Manny has never felt the power thrown at this weight class just as Diaz has never gone toe-to-toe with such a human dynamo.

But Manny possesses an inner strength from his fellow countrymen the likes I have never seen as a promoter with over 40 years of experience. Manny is more than a national treasure to the Philippines, he is the very symbol of its national pride. He doesn’t fight for himself, he fights for his people. It’s a responsibility that no other athlete could, or attempt to, accomplish.”

The 12-round title clash has been dubbed “Lethal Combination,” and for the right reason. Pacquiao and Diaz know only on—forward, with both fists blazing.

Pacquiao boasts of blinding hand speed and usually finishes off his foes with his patented left straight. Diaz is far from being a homerun hitter, but the Chicago native tends to wear down foes by throwing punches in bunches.

“It’s gonna be an all out war. He is a straightforward fighter as I am and we are going to go at it, but I am gonna win the fight,” said Diaz, who sports a record of 34-1-1 with 17 knockouts.

“I don’t want to underestimate David,” countered Pacquiao, who totes a resume of 46-3-2, with 36 knockouts.

Pacquiao admits though that Diaz’s gung-ho style compliments his. “We have similar styles. He likes to come in throwing punches and that is what I like to do.”

“It’s going to be a good fight. I don’t want to make a prediction. I just want to make sure I can give a good fight.”

While Pacquiao is regarded as the heavier puncher, questions abound if he can carry his vaunted power to the heavier lightweight (135 lbs.) division. Pacquiao actually started his career in 1995 weighing 106 pounds. As he moved up in weight, from flyweight (112 lbs.) to junior lightweight (130 lbs.), there has been a slight dip in Pacquiao’s knockout puncher. Pacquiao has in fact scored only two knockouts in his last five fights.

“Boxing fans recognize that in Pacquiao vs. Diaz you have one of the sport’s best fighters and biggest attractions moving up in weight to challenge a bigger, stronger champion,” said HBO executive Mark Taffet. “It’s a very intriguing proposition and we look forward to the event.”

Trainer Freddie Roach believes Pacquiao’s punching power will be in full display come fight time. The highly respected trainer has also gone on record to predict a knockout win for PacMan within nine rounds.

Pacquiao himself feels confident that there will be no diminution of power when he fights Diaz. PacMan even hinted at moving up to yet another weight class after the fight.

“After Diaz, I want to fight (junior welterweight) Ricky Hatton,” said Pacquiao. “It will be a good fight.”

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