DIAZ, VALERO SET TO LEAVE WITH FOND MEMORIES
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Dec 2008
Former World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz and WBA super featherweight champion Edwin Valero were scheduled to leave Manila Sunday night after a whirlwind tour of the country and fond memories of the welcome they received.
After being among the guests at Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao?s lavish 30th birthday bash as his personal guest, Diaz and Valero paid a courtesy call on PLDT-Smart owner Manny Pangilinan in Makati last Friday and then took a quick trip to Cebu before returning to Manila to attend the PBA games hours before their flight home.
Diaz told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports ?I had a great, great time. Its been a humbling experience. I never imagined how they would treat me here.?
In a tribute to Pacquiao, the man who was demolished in nine rounds and lost his title to Pacquiao said ? I know why the people love Manny . Its because he?s done a lot of great things for them. You take your hat off to a guy like that. And the people here are all so warm. I get treated better here than back in Chicago. I?m a rock star. It's beautiful.?
Diaz said he will hopefully fight again in March but his proposed fight against Randy Suico would probably be scuttled since Suico lost his OPBF lightweight title on Saturday in Japan.
Diaz said he had ?actually started working out two weeks before Manny called. the day after the (De La Hoya) fight me and invited me. I took a little time off to come out here and experience this.?
He praised Pacquiao for his performance against De La Hoya whom Diaz had picked to win, saying ?once I started seeing the fight after the second round I?m like forget it. Manny?s got this one in the bag. Wow. His speed was unbelievable.?
Diaz was amazed at Pacquiao?s humility recalling that when he spoke to Pacquiao he said ?you are not human, what are you? He started laughing. You beat Oscar down . He says no, no I got lucky and I replied, lucky is when you go to the casino. He won every round.?
He said he was shocked when Pacquiao invited him to his birthday celebration and asked him ? Are you sure man. He said yes, come on over.? Valero who is set to fight Antonio Pitalua in a title eliminator possibly in March said simply ?Thank you Philippines? even as he noticed that ?.the Filipinos are really enjoying themselves right now because they have a pound for pound Manny Pacquiao, who is the world champion and really great.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026