PACQUIAO DOESN?T LIKE TAG OF MEXICAN ASSASSIN
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 21 May 2008
Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao has said it before and he?s said it again ? he doesn?t like being tagged as ?The Mexican Assassin.?
Pacquiao made his views clear before flying into Chicago for a morning news conference with WBC lightweight champion David Diaz and a pep rally at noon at Federal Plaza.
In an interview with Roman Modrowski of the Chicago Sun Times, Pacquiao said ?I don?t like it? in reference to the ?Mexican assassin? tag stressing ?I?m not an assassin. I?m just doing my job and trying to give a good fight. I respect all Mexicans.?
Pacquiao earned the tag after he demolished a roster of Mexicans including legends Marco Antonio ?The Baby Faced Assassin? Barrera and Erik ?El Terrible? Morales.
Prior to leaving on a private jet provided by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, former NBN news anchor and reporter Romy Sajer reported that Pacquiao said he was ?looking forward to meeting Chicago?s great boxing fans ? both Hispanic and Filipino. Chicago has a lot to be proud of in its world champion David Diaz. I just hope Chicago doesn?t think of me as an ill-mannered guest when I go after David and his title with everything I have.? The ?Lethal Combination? showdown is set at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel & Casino on June 28.
Pacquiao is a heavy betting favorite to defeat Diaz, a Mexican-American whose hometown is Chicago but has often stressed he won?t be overconfident against his southpaw opponent although he admits ?I?m very motivated for this fight.? He said winning another world title was ?very important to me and for my country.?
Should Pacquiao win he would become the first Asian to win four world titles having previously won the WBC flyweight championship from Chatchai Sasakul, the IBF super bantamweight crown from Lelohonolo Ledwaba and the super featherweight belt from Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15 by a split decision
Pacquiao said ?I don?t want to underestimate him (Diaz). He?s the champion at 135 pounds. He can punch.? As for Diaz he concedes that Pacquiao has beaten many great Mexican fighters but adds, ?I will shock the world and beat at his own game ? power for power. He?s a great champion but he?s fighting in my division. I have worked too hard for this world title and I will not give it up to him.?
Sajer said Diaz himself was excited at the prospect of virtually playing host to Pacquiao and joining the Filipino icon in a pep rally where Pacquiao is certain to have his share of supporters especially among Filipinos living in Chicago.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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