LOS ANGELES ? WBC lightweight champion David Diaz will pose more of a threat to Manny Pacquiao the longer their fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on June 28 because of his vaunted staying power.
That?s the assessment of Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz who said yesterday ?for some reason, I?m a little more worried about this fight than I was when Manny fought (Marco Antonio) Barrera and (Juan Manuel) Marquez.?
Koncz described Diaz as ?the true Rocky Balboa? and wouldn?t take him lightly.
?Manny has speed and power but Diaz is the type who doesn?t quit,? said Koncz. ?He has a lot of heart like Manny. I was at ringside when Diaz fought (Erik) Morales and saw how he came back after losing the first six rounds. I also saw how he lost every round to (Jose Armando) Santa Cruz until he knocked him out in the 10th round.?
However, Koncz said Pacquiao won?t make the same mistake as Morales and Santa Cruz.
?If it goes 12 rounds, I think Manny will be in better condition than he was at the end of the Marquez fight,? said Koncz. ?Manny?s training camp was excellent. He?s in great shape. He knows what to do against Diaz. He?ll move in and out. He won?t stay in front of Diaz. But sometimes, things happen in the ring that you least expect. Some fighters go back to their natural instincts. It?s possible Manny will stand toe-to-toe and exchange.?
Diaz, 32, will try to use his body weight to lean on Pacquiao and force him to fight from close range. Diaz started his pro career as a superlightweight and went down to the 135-pound division for the opportunity to win a world crown. Pacquiao is making his debut as a lightweight.
?Diaz is a typical brawler,? continued Koncz. ?He swings wide. He?s got a granite chin. He comes forward but he?s not too technical in terms of boxing technique. He gets stronger the longer the fight so Manny should be careful in the late rounds.?
Koncz said Pacquiao?s lightweight invasion is timely.
?Manny struggled to make 130 in his last two fights,? said Koncz. ?He was starving himself and it wasn?t good for his health. Now, he?s very comfortable. The other day, at the official WBC weigh-in, he was 139, just four over the limit. He no longer has weight issues bothering him. He?s more relaxed and easy-going without having to limit his intake. There?s color to his skin. He?s not gaunt looking like he was during the weigh-in for Marquez. I don?t think he?ll ever go down to 130. That would be a risk to his health.?
Koncz said lawyer Franklin (Jeng) Gacal and he often remind Pacquiao not to take Diaz for granted.
?Some fans think it?ll be an easy fight but Jeng and I don?t think so,? said Koncz. ?Manny respects Diaz. He knows this won?t be easy. Diaz is tough and he?s determined to defend his title. Manny is his ticket to stardom. He?s hungry and hungry fighters are very dangerous.?
Koncz said it will be an exciting, competitive fight.
?The longer the fight, the more exciting it will be,? he said. ?Although there is no animosity between Manny and Diaz, once the bell rings, they?ll be enemies in the ring. For sure, Manny isn?t going to take him lightly. They respect each other but that doesn?t mean they won?t go in there trying to knock each other out.?
Koncz said it remains to be seen how Pacquiao will perform after the change in his conditioning routine with new trainer Alejandro Ariza.
?We?ll be able to determine the effectiveness of Manny?s new training regimen only after the fight,? said Koncz. ?I?m a little worried because this is Manny?s first fight as a lightweight. He made a lot of changes in his workout routine. But he?s well-prepared for Diaz. He?s got a very positive outlook. And there?s been a glow in his face since Jinkee arrived Wednesday. Manny?s a changed guy. No more gambling. No more late nights.?
From all indications, Pacquiao is all business and that?s bad news for Diaz.
