Boxing Herald caught up with WBC super featherweight world champion Manny Pacquiao and discussed his upcoming fight against David Diaz. This fight is scheduled for June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will make his 135lb debut by challenging Diaz for the WBC lightweight title. Pacquiao makes it clear in this interview that he is not underestimating Diaz, and will not overlook him. Pacquiao also states that a future fight against British icon Ricky Hatton is on the horizon.
BH ? Manny, welcome back to America.
MP ? Hey Brad, thank you.
BH ? How’s camp going so far in preparation for David Diaz?
MP ? So far so good, no problem. It’s a little bit hot.
BH ? It’s hot out there?
MP ? Yes, a little bit.
BH ? It gets hot in the Philippines too. Where would you rather train: here or in PI?
MP ? I would rather train here so I can focus on the fight, and concentrate on the fight.
BH ? Let’s talk about this fight, do you expect a difficult fight against David Diaz?
MP ? Well yes, it’s going to be a difficult fight because this is the first time for me to move up to this weight. He’s a world champion, and he’s a champion at 135lbs. It’s not an easy fight for me.
BH ? What part of Diaz’s fight game does he do well, and that you respect?
MP ? Well he has power also, and he can punch. He hits hard every fight, and he throws a lot of punches.
BH ? How much power do you think you will have at 135lbs? Do you think you will bring your power up to that weight?
MP ? Well at 135lbs I feel comfortable, and more stronger at that weight. It’s easier for me to make that weight.
BH ? How much do you usually weigh when you’re not training for a fight?
MP ? About 150lbs.
BH ? How much do you weigh right now?
MP ? 143lbs, not a problem.
BH ? What do you with yourself when you’re not training for a fight?
MP ? When I am not training for a fight I am in the Philippines in school studying.
BH ? Some of the fans out there are thinking that maybe you are underestimating David Diaz — what are your thoughts?
MP ? Well I don’t want to underestimate David Diaz. I don’t want to lose focus on this fight, I am hungry to win.
BH ? Do you plan on staying at 135lbs and up from this point on?
MP ? Yes, I plan on staying at 135bls right now. I can also fight at 140lbs as well, it’s easy to me.
BH ? So they better look out in the 140lb division too huh? (laughs)
MP ? Yes.
BH – Other than money, what’s been the biggest change in your life as opposed to the Manny Pacquiao of 10 years ago?
MP ? Well the biggest change is that I am more popular than before. Of course I have money now. I always pray to the Lord and thank God for that.
BH ? Do you ever wish that you could go back to not being so popular?
MP ? Well being this popular… no matter where I go people recognize me, so I have to understand that.
BH ? What sort of fight do you expect against David Diaz? Do you feel that he will bang with you, or do you feel he will be more strategical?
MP ? I think that sometimes he will attack me, and sometimes he will back off.
BH ? You never look past your opponents, but everybody wants to know if a future fight with you and Ricky Hatton will happen. Do you feel that this fight is a possibility?
MP ? Yes there is a big possibility of that fight happening. Right now I am staying focused on this fight, and focusing on my training.
BH ? Thanks for your time Manny, do you have any closing thoughts for your fans in the Philippines, and in America?
MP ? I first want to thank God for giving me strength and wisdom. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank my fans and all the people who loves boxing. I want to thank the Filipino people, and all of the people for their support.
