David Diaz reported for duty at the JABB Boxing Gym last Friday in Chicago or 63 days before he squares off with Manny Pacquiao in a battle of champions in Las Vegas.
?It?s time to go to work, everything is signed, the tickets are going on sale on Saturday and I?m thrilled to start camp,? Diaz, the WBC lightweight champ, told boxingscene.com.
It seems that Diaz has already signed the fight contract for the June 28 bout set at Mandalay Bay and dubbed ?Lethal Combination? while Pacquiao has yet to see the contract.
Pacquiao?s legal counsel, Franklin Gacal, leaves for the US today to meet with Top Rank boss Bob Arum. Once everything is cleared, Gacal said he might bring the contract with him for the Pinoy boxer to sign.
Or Pacquiao can sign it once he reports for training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles on the first week of May. He said he jogs in the morning in Gen. Santos City just to stay in shape.
Gacal said Pacquiao should get no less than $5.5 million for this fight or the same guaranteed amount he got for facing Marquez. Pay-per-view and merchandise sales reportedly netted Pacquiao another $2 million.
Pacquiao is the reigning WBC super-featherweight champion, taking the title away from Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15 also at Mandalay Bay. Now he wants Diaz? crown at the heavier division.
Meanwhile, Marco Antonio Barrera is coming to the Philippines to do some commercials or probably seek a third fight with Pacquiao.
But it isn?t clear yet on when Barrera, the former world champion who lost twice to Pacquiao, will arrive or what brand he?d endorse.
Earlier reports said Barrera wants at least three commercials to be part of the package that could easily earn him a huge amount.
Last year, another Mexican legend, Erik Morales, came over and did a series of endorsements, the biggest of which was a San Miguel Beer commercial with Pacquiao.
Morales will once again visit the Philippines on the third week of May as guest of his Filipino friend Hermie Esguerra. The Mexican legend also plans to visit his favorite resort in Amanpulo.
Marquez was in Manila earlier this month to challenge Pacquiao to a third fight, and at the same time entertain offers for him to do commercials, too.
But nothing came out of his trip ? no third fight with Pacquiao, no commercials. Not yet.
