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Philippines, 31 Jul 2010 |
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David Diaz, just a regular guy By Ed Picson PhilBoxing.com Wed, 17 Dec 2008  David Diaz. Former world lightweight champion David Diaz is best remembered by Filipinos as that guy that Manny Pacquiao pummeled into the canvass in 9 rounds to wrest the WBC crown in June this year. Unlike most pugilists, Diaz does not sport that menacing look that many boxers work at having to intimidate fellow fighters as well as the public. This Mexican-American has rather soft features, an easy smile and an even temperament to boot. He can also talk up a storm. “I grew up in a tough neighborhood in Chicago but I was never into street fights or any kind of trouble. It was funny because I was a Mexican in a predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood, but somehow I just got along with almost everyone.” Unlike other kids who got into boxing because they had to defend themselves or because they were known to be good street fighters, David got into the sport only because his father brought him into the gym and he immediately took a liking to the sport. “I was 8 going on 9 when I first laced up and when the coach asked me if I liked boxing, I told him ‘yeah!’”. Diaz is in the country on invitation of his conqueror, Pacquiao, who is celebrating his 30th birthday in General Santos City today. “When I called to congratulate him the day after his fight with de la Hoya, he asked me to come over for his birthday and I immediately said ‘ok, man!’” He did let on that he wasn’t very fond of long hauls. With a rather embarrassed chuckle, he says “I’m not really scared of flying but it’s the long trips that give you scary thoughts especially when you’re over the sea and stuff. This is only the second long flight I’ve been on (the first was to Australia ), but this was a very pleasant one with no turbulence whatsoever. I slept like 8 straight hours on the plane. And the food was good. I had Filipino tocino and it was great!”. Diaz came in via Philippine Airlines flight 103 from Los Angeles only hours before he met with a handful of sportswriters over lunch in a Quezon City restaurant. The meet was arranged by businessman/sportsman Hermie Esguerra of the Makisig Television Network, who has become a good friend. Despite the fact that he had just come off a long trip and a quick shopping visit at Greenhills (“I got myself a real nice barong and it looks great with my denims”), Diaz looked none the worse for wear and was gamely exchanging animated banter with the press. His companions, including Filipino therapist Jeff de Guzman were amused at the way Diaz haggled with the sales ladies at the flea market. “Hey man, a bargain is a bargain”, said the former champ. The 32-year old waxed melancholic when asked about his ill-fated match with Manny Pacquiao. He says he watched the tape of his fight with Manny only the day before the Pacquiao-de la Hoya fight and joked “it looked like Freddie Roach was holding me down and letting Manny at me. Man, his speed is just unbelievable!” Asked about suspicions that de la Hoya purposely did not put up a fight against Pacquiao, Diaz turned somber and said “Man, that’s just pretty dumb and smacks of envy. That’s disrespect for a legendary boxer like Oscar and disrespect for what Manny has become as a fighter today. Even against Hatton and Mayweather, I’d pick Manny because the way he has improved this year, I don’t think anybody could beat him.” Diaz admits he had picked de la Hoya to win the fight because of the size factor. “I thought hey, this guy is a bigger and better boxer than I am and I think I held my own against Manny (all things considered). So I thought Oscar would dominate Manny. But he’s just too slick and Oscar never had a chance to figure him out.” Did he get Manny something for his birthday? At first he sounded reluctant to talk about it, but finally admitted he and his wife Tanya discussed it lengthily and decided that since Pacquiao liked basketball, they got him a Derrick Rose #1 shirt. Rose is the impressive rookie point guard of Diaz's home team, the Chicago Bulls and he hopes Manny would get a kick out of the shirt. The mediamen came away very impressed with the former Pacquiao foe who is fast turning out to be an admirer of the Filipino icon. He says some people have suggested he should ask Manny for a rematch, but he declares “I don’t have much to offer Manny right now. Perhaps if I were to win another championship, and he indicates he wants it, maybe. But right now, Manny’s got the world at his feet.” Obviously the guy is in awe of Pacquiao (“is he human?”). But spending an hour or two with David Diaz could also convert one into being a Diaz admirer for his genuine warmth, vivacity and sincerity. A regular guy, this David. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed Picson. Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles: |
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