GL: Congratulations on your victory over Ramon Montano the other night. Give us some thoughts on the fight. Was is tougher than you expected? “No, we knew we were in for a tough fight. A lot of people thought that just because of the record it would be an easy fight. Based on his style alone, I knew this was a guy that was going to be there for a while. He ended up being there for the whole fight.”
GL: Was he there for the whole fight because you took him lightly at all, or just because he had that will on that particular night?
David Diaz: I believe he had that will on that particular night. He wanted to prove he could last the 10 rounds, and he did. He surprised me the first 4 rounds, I didn’t think I did too well. Then, at the end I did alright.
GL: How would you rate your performance?
DD: I would give it a 6.
GL: Can you fight that way and be successful in a fight against Manny Pacquiao?
DD: No, not the way I fought that night. I know I have to pick up my game a little bit more, and I know what I’m capable of doing. If I can do what I’m capable of doing, I know I can beat Manny Pacquiao.
GL: What did you think of his fight with Marquez?
DD: It was a great fight. I still haven’t seen it on tape, I’m going to wait and see. Watching it live, there were people talking to me, interrupting me from seeing the fight. I didn’t see it that well, so I’m reserving my opinion until after I see it, and I’m going to see it this Friday.
GL: Based on what you’ve heard who won the fight?
DD: A lot of people told me they thought Marquez won the fight, a lot of people say it could have been a draw. That’s what I’m hearing.
GL: Have you and Top Rank spoken at all about the possibility of this fight taking place? What are the chances at this point?
DD: The only thing I heard was after the fight at the press conference, was Arum setting something up for me and Pacquiao to go at it. That’s about as close as I got to it being real.
GL: Based on the close nature of a Marquez-Pacquiao rematch, being that the first one was a draw, do you think the concensus of most boxing people is that he should be moving up in weight to fight you, or do you think people want to see Pacquiao and Marquez fight for a third time?
DD: I hope and believe that people want to see me fight with Manny. I hope that’s what they want, and I think that’s what they want.
GL: Obviously, you’re thrilled to be getting a fight like Pacquiao, but based on him challenging for your title in the first fight, does that motivate you? Do you feel that he thinks he can just move up and take your title?
DD: Definitely, I think that’s what he thinks. I think his camp thinks it’s going to be an easier fight, and I welcome that. Train hard, please train hard, because I’m going to be there all 12 rounds.
GL: What’s the soonest you can be ready to fight him?
DD: From what I heard, I think it’s June 28th, that’s the date Bob Arum said. I guess they’re waiting to see how his cuts are healing, and push it back about a week or two, or something like that.
GL: Give us some closing thoughts.
DD: Thanks to everybody for the support on my last fight. I’m just going to keep racking up those wins, thanks for the support.
