Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao sees nothing impossible for his June 28 challenge against WBC lightweight champion David Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Hotel Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I know I can step it up and challenge the bigger guy Diaz and I am very much excited to get back in the gym in Los Angeles with my trainer Freddie Roach in the second week of May,” Pacquiao said in his online column “Kumbinasyon.”
Pacquiao, the reigning WBC super featherweight and Ring Magazine “People’s Champion,” added that he has stepped up training in his native General Santos City and “very much” excited about the fight after reading the contract over the weekend.
He also brushed aside criticisms against the decision to climb two weight divisions for the June 28 clash for the 135-lb division.
“Marami ang nagsasabi na magiging mahirap para sa akin ang manalo laban sa isang mas malaki at mabigat na kalaban pero sa tingin ko, kasama ng aking pananalig sa Diyos at sa pagbibigay ko ng 100 percent sa training, mananalo tayo sa huli,” he said.
The “Pacman,” however, said that there’s always a first time for everything even though critics have said that it might be close to impossible to win another title.
“Mula sa pagiging flyweight champion at anim na weight divisions pa, susubukan kong maiuwi ang ikalimang titulo,” he said.
Aside from his WBC and Ring distinctions, Pacquiao also has the IBF super bantamweight and WBC flyweight titles tucked in his belt.
The Filipino fighter last fight on March 15, also in Las Vegas, earned him the 130-lb class WBC super featherweight belt from Juan Manuel Marquez.
