?PACQUIAO IS MY TICKET TO FAME? ? DAVID DIAZ
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 16 Jun 2008
Los Angeles, CA:- A friend of mine who is a boxing enthusiast recently came from Chicago where he visited the David Diaz training camp. He indicated to me, during a conversation yesterday at the Lake Street Park at the Historic Filipino Town that Diaz is all set and ready to rumble. ?He is ripped and ready to go?, was his description of Diaz.
Diaz, he said has been sparring with boxers who are a lot heavier than him, some coming in at 150 to 160 pounds. Diaz is sparring with them to get used to the heavy punches he expects to get from the Filipino fireball, Manny Pacquiao.
He further stated that members of the Team Diaz are not concerned, much less afraid of the power of Pacquiao because Pacquiao may not carry such to the lightweight division.
While it is true that Pacquiao in his last fights weighed as much as 142lbs on fight night, Diaz on the other hand weigh more than that during his fights with Morales, Santa Cruz, and Montano. So, they are not too concerned about the vaunted power of Pacquiao. ?If he can not KO his last two opponents who were at 130lbs. how can he expect to KO a 135 pounder??
The Diaz camp is more concerned about the famed hand speed of Pacquiao. Team Diaz also told him that they have no answer to the hand speed of Pacquiao and they will just keep their battle plan which they said will be enough to mitigate whatever advantage Pacquiao has in hand speed. ?We have a surprise for them?, they said.
?We know he is fast, but how much can he take from the power of a legitimate lightweight who can hit like a welterweight??
My source implied that what was most impressive during his visit to the Diaz camp, was the fact that Diaz is a very well-mannered and an entertaining person. ?He is so professional? was how he described him. And, he did not seem bothered by his presence even after being told that he was talking to someone close to Pacquiao.
He indicated that Diaz adores and admire Pacquiao as a person but in spite of that he will not just hand his belt to him. Pacquiao must beat him if he wants the belt.
Diaz also indicated to him that ?Pacquiao is my ticket to fame. If I beat him and a re-matched is arranged, can you just imagine the purse I will get??
When asked about the Homer Sayson incident, he informed that Sayson was not admitted or rather was asked to leave the gym because he was taking pictures of Diaz. The Team Diaz apparently has a blackout on photos and videos while sparring. Apparently, they are fearful of ?leaks? that may eventually get to Team Pacquiao.
Top photo: Diaz during an LA presscon. Photo by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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