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By Ed C. Tolentino Contributor
David Diaz has been the World Boxing Council (WBC)
lightweight champion since 2006, but he readily admits that he has
not been on the receiving end of a royal treatment until he secured
a deal to defend the crown against Filipino fistic icon Manny
Pacquiao.
Diaz has been guaranteed $800,000 for his June
29 title defense against Pacquiao at the Mandalay Bay Resort and
Casino in Las Vegas. He could end up bankrolling $1 million
depending on the pay-per-view revenues the 12-round duel will
generate.
“I’m very happy with my purse,” said Diaz,
whose highest purse was the $350,000 he received for beating Erik
Morales in August 2007. “I’m finally getting paid what champions
get paid. This is a fight where I can set up my kids for college.
It’s about making their life better.”
Diaz also figures to pamper himself a little.
The WBC champion still drives around his native Chicago in a 1991
Honda with no air conditioning. Before he got the beat-up car, Diaz
relied on public transportation to get around town.
“I enjoy being champion, but I don’t have
the money that should come along with it yet,” said Diaz.
“Hopefully, after this victory [over Pacquiao], I can afford
something better.”
A former United States Olympian, Diaz turned pro
as a welterweight (147 pounds) in November 1996. Diaz did not score
a knockout until his seventh paid contest. The lack of firepower and
perceived one-dimensional style made Diaz a forgotten man in the
division. Frustrated at the way his career was moving, Diaz decided
to go on a fistic sabbatical after scoring a win over Steve
Larrimore in 2000.
Diaz was looking at returning to school or
taking a regular job—anything except fighting again. He was only
convinced to lace on the gloves again when he realized boxing was
the only profession that could provide a better life for him and his
wife Tanya.
“When I took off for two years—I needed that
rest, and that—I didn’t want to become the person that, you
know, sitting when he’s 45, 50 years old wondering if he had done
the right thing by not going all the way,” said Diaz.
“So, that’s why I decided to come back; to
come back and see if we could do a little noise, you know. I’m
going to be honest, I have never seen myself getting this far
[becoming a world champ].”
Diaz returned to action in 2002 and finally
became WBC lightweight champion in August 2006. The Pacquiao fight
will be his second defense of the 135-pound diadem.
While pegged as a huge underdog, Diaz claims he
has never been more motivated to train and will himself to win.
“This is a pride thing for me. I never thought
I’d become champion. Now I’m fighting one of the most dangerous
fighters in the world and maybe the world’s no.1 pound-for-pound
fighter. This is a dream come true for me,” said Diaz.
“I understand the business aspect of the sport
and that many people have an interest in Manny Pacquiao winning this
fight. That is not a concern for me, or something that I think about
at all. I am completely focused on going out there and beating him.
That’s my concern, and what I need to do.
“I expect a tough match. That’s the way I
fight. I want to be in great condition so I can fight the whole way,
and only God knows what’s going to happen.”
Diaz believes he will prevail. And, after the
Pacquiao fight, he sees himself driving a brand new car.
“I have a car with no AC. It sucks, man,”
quipped the champ.
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