IF David Diaz will be his opponent next March, Manny Pacquiao is expected to encounter big problems. Literally.
For one, it will be the first time Pacquiao will fight in the lightweight division, historically a bane of a division for even the best junior-lightweight champions to come out of the Philippines.
The most notable among them, the renowned Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde Jr., who had two unsuccessful attempts at the world lightweight crown.
Elorde was stopped by world lightweight champion Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico, both meetings ending in the 14th round, this despite Elorde?s legendary seven-year reign as world junior lightweight king.
Rene Barrientos, another former world junior lightweight, said that even though the weight difference is a mere 5 lb, every pound is crucial for boxers.
?There will be problems, for sure,? Barrientos said, ?especially if [your opponents is] a regular junior lightweight.?
The second problem Pacquiao is likely to run into is the use of 10-ounce gloves.
On November 18 the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) began to require fighters from 135 to 137 lb to use thicker 10-ounce gloves, a ruling carried out by the strict NSAC as a way of tightening measures for fighters within the lightweight to welterweight divisions.
Previously, bouts staged from the welterweight division (147 lb) and above were the ones required to use the heavy mitts.
The issue on gloves may well be considered a significant matter for Pacquiao, who is used to wearing the lighter 8-ounce gloves for almost the entirety of his eminent 12-year career.
The right pair of gloves was a concern Pacquiao raised after he lost to Erik Morales in their first encounter in March 2005. In that match, Pacquiao claimed he was not allowed to use his favored gloves Cleto Reyes, a factor he said contributed to his loss.
Pacquiao?s American promoter at that time, Murad Muhammad, signed the fight contract that stipulates the use of Winning gloves, a pair preferred by Morales.
Freddie Roach insisted that the use of Winning gloves, which he said are like pillows, favored Morales, as it had more padding, a factor the American mentor added lessened the impact of Pacquiao?s punches.
David Diaz is one of two fighters mentioned by fight promoter Bob Arum as a possible opponent of Pacquiao for their March 2008 playdate with giant cable network HBO.
Diaz is the reigning World Boxing Council lightweight champion and is promoted by Arum.
Marquez: ?I?ll destroy Manny?
THE other fighter being considered to fight Manny Pacquiao is Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico, the current WBC super-featherweight champion who drew Pacquiao the last time they fought.
Marquez, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), is widely considered as the most logical foe for Pacquiao as he bravely came back from three first-round knockdowns to salvage a draw in their only encounter three years ago, also in Las Vegas.
Yesterday Marquez came out with a statement through popular boxing web site www.fightnews.com telling Pacquiao to just face him in a rematch and settle their unfinished business.
?He?s coming up with many excuses for not wanting to fight me,? said an upset Marquez. ?First of all, he complains about the weight class and I compromise to face him as high as the lightweight division, then he comments that the money was an issue, and I responded that wasn?t a problem.?
?I?m willing to take a pay cut to please the fans. Pacquiao also commented that he?d rather challenge for the lightweight title. All this is an indication that he?s really scared and doesn?t want any part of me. He knows I?m the only man who can beat him. I?ll destroy him,? the Mexican added.
