|
By Ed C. Tolentino, Contributor
A PIECE of boxing history and the chance to
unlock more treasure chests loom as Filipino ring superstar Manny
Pacquiao takes on World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion
David Diaz Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las
Vegas.
The fighters breezed through the official
weigh-in Friday (Saturday in Manila), with defending champion Diaz
coming in at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds and challenger
Pacquiao checking in at 134.5 pounds.
Diaz, 34-1-1 with 17 knockouts, has been
installed as a 4-to-1 underdog. A former 1996 US Olympian, the
Chicago native won recognition as WBC champion in August 2006, when
he scored a come-from-behind 10th round knockout over Jose Armando
Santa Cruz.
The 32-year-old Diaz has since fought only
twice—posting a pair of decisions over Mexicans Erik Morales
(August 2007) and Ramon Montano (March 2008, non-title). Diaz,
however, plunged into training immediately after the Montano fight,
even tapping the services of mixed martial arts trainer Mike Garcia
to help him prepare for Pacquiao.
“I have to go out there and perform,” said
Diaz, who once quit boxing for two years only to return and become
world champ. “If I don’t do it, I’m not going to win. I never
thought I’d get the championship, but now that I have it, I
don’t want to let it go.”
Diaz offers a slugging style that experts feel
is tailor-made for Pacquiao. While about an inch shorter than
Pacquiao at 5’6”, Diaz nonetheless offers a wider body and a
swarming, brawling style that has worn down big men in the
lightweight class.
Diaz fought 28 times as a junior welterweight
(140 lbs.) and figures to throw his weight around against Pacquiao.
“This is going to be an all-out war,” said
Diaz. “Manny is a straight-forward fighter, as am I. We’re both
going to go at it, but the only thing that’s going to happen is
I’m going to win.”
Pacquiao, 46-3-2 with 35 knockouts, is also
coming in brimming with confidence. The reigning WBC jr. lightweight
champion (130 lbs.) started out his career as a flyweight titlist
(112 lbs.) and is now on the crest of an unprecedented fourth world
boxing championship in as many weight categories. The 29-year-old
Filipino also reigned as International Boxing Federation (IBF) jr.
featherweight (122 lbs.) champion from 2001 to 2003.
In recent years, Pacquiao has evolved into a
complete fighter. From a gung-ho slugger, Pacquiao has metamorphosed
into a decent boxer-slugger. Trainer Freddie Roach has also chiseled
the Filipino’s underrated right hand into a weapon.
Pacquiao is on a roll, having lost only once in
the last eight years—a close decision to Erik Morales in March
2005 which was promptly avenged by two stoppage victories in 2006.
In stark contrast, Diaz kissed the canvas just
three years ago, getting knocked out by in nine rounds Kendal Holt.
While it is Pacquiao who is considered the
heavier puncher, there are questions if PacMan would be able to
display the same firepower in Diaz’s turf. Pacquiao has gone the
distance in three of his last five fights.
“I’m comfortable at 135 pounds,” insisted
Pacquiao. “I don’t think Diaz is stronger; I believe I’m
stronger than him.”
While admitting that the extra weight may affect
Pacquiao’s hand speed, Roach believes that his ward’s offensive
arsenal remains impressive.
“I think Manny’s power has increased if
anything,” said Roach. “He’s got more energy and seems to be
carrying more power in his shots.”
Both Pacquiao and Diaz believe they will win in
convincing fashion, leading ring experts to forecast a shower of
haymakers on fight time.
“The old cliché that ‘styles make fights’
I think really applies here because we have two guys who likes to
mix it up,” said Nigel Collins, the editor of The Ring Magazine.
“There are some advantages to Diaz as far as size goes, who’s
used to fight bigger guys. There are also advantages for Manny, his
speed, better boxing skills.”
“I think that Diaz has the kind of style, the
kind of heart and durability to make it a kind of fight that’s
gonna have the fans on the edges of their seat if not standing up.
|
