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By Ed C. Tolentino, Contributor
Manny Pacquiao sees no problem with the extra
pounds he added on his frame as he guns for the World Boxing
Federation (WBC) lightweight title Sunday against David Diaz at the
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
“I’m very comfortable in my weight division
right now—135 pounds. And I feel stronger,” said Pacquiao.
Pacquiao, 46-3 with 34 knockouts, is on the
crest of a fourth world title in as many weight divisions. He
started out his pro career as world champion in the 112-pound
division (flyweight) in 1998 and has since moved all the way up to
130lbs. (junior lightweight), along the way pocketing the
International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown in the 122-pound
category (junior featherweight).
“We’re getting down to the home stretch for
this clash for the lightweight championship of the world. Manny has
been one of the most prominent fighters in the last number of years.
And this attempt to win the fourth title would indeed set
history,” said promoter Bob Arum. “No fighter from Asia, let
alone the Philippines, has ever won championships in four different
weight divisions.”
Word is out that Pacquiao is now walking around
in the vicinity of 139lbs. Trainer Freddie Roach is confident that
Pacquiao will meet the lightweight requirement of 135lbs and has
expressed more concern with the Filipino’s tendency to bulk up so
much after the official weigh-in.
In his last two fights—against Marco Antonio
Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez—Pacquiao’s weight ballooned
shortly after he met the required 130-pound limit for the junior
lightweight class. The end-result had him looking sluggish at some
points during the fight.
“I don’t want to see him any heavier on
fight night than 10lbs over the limit,” said Roach. “I’ll just
be monitoring what he eats a little more closely. We’ve talked
about it and we’ll be drinking fluids and keeping a close eye on
it.”
Pacquiao is likely to feel the weight of Diaz
come fight time. The WBC champion, who had previously fought as a
welterweight (147lbs), is also expected to pack more pounds the
moment he officially meets the 135-pound limit. At 5’6”, Diaz is
about a half-inch shorter than Pacquiao, but the American has a
wider body that can easily accommodate additional meat.
Pacquiao is the least perturbed. As far as
Pacquiao is concerned, Diaz can show up weighing as a heavyweight
and he would still get beaten up.
“I don’t think Diaz is stronger than me,”
said Pacquiao. “I believe I am stronger than him. Moving up in
weight is not a problem for me because I will maintain my speed and
power.”
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