DAVID DIAZ, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight king, is the perfect opponent on March 15, 2008 for Manny Pacquiao.
This was the sentiment of Pacquiao?s confidant Wakee Salud when told about the outcome of Saturday night (Sunday noon in Manila) fight between Dominican Republic?s Joan Guzman and Mexico?s Humberto Soto that took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Guzman, utilizing his edge in handspeed and lateral movement, coasted to a unanimous 12-round decision victory and retained his World Boxing Organization superfeatherweight crown.
Guzman?s win earned him a spot on the short list that will be reviewed by Pacquiao and lawyer Franklin Gacal later this week at the Las Vegas residence of Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
Also on that list are Mexico?s WBC super-featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Marquez, who is under Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) and Diaz, a Top Rank talent.
Guzman, 31, is also closely associated with GBP although the San Diego-based Sycuan Ringside Promotions handles the fighter?s promotional affairs.
Salud said that Diaz?s daredevil style is tailor-made for Pacquiao, whose last outing was a lopsided 12-round decision conquest of Marco Antonio Barrera.
“Diaz is the type of fighter who is willing to take punches in order to land his own,” said Salud. “Marquez and Guzman?s styles are similar because they won?t initiate the action, while Diaz is the one who will start it.”
Diaz, who is an American of Mexican lineage, is best known among Filipino fight fans as the rugged and compact puncher who forced Erik Morales into retirement last August when the fabled Mexican attempted to wrest Diaz?s WBC 135-lb crown in Chicago.
Pacquiao is leaving for the United States this Wednesday and spend the Thanksgiving with Arum and the main agenda would be the choice of opponent for the penciled March 15, 2008 fight at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Apart from the turkey dinner, Pacquiao would also find on the table the financial terms of each of the fighters being lined up to fight him.
Joining Pacquiao in the US trip is wife Jinkee as well as Gacal and executives of Nike Philippines for the filming of a commercial for the top-of-the-line sports apparel company at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
