As the gentle waves of the Pacific Ocean break across the Santa Monica beach and a smooth calm breeze cools hundreds of onlookers, the Pride of the Philippines Manny Pacquiao stood solemnly along the Mariasol Cocina Mexicana restaurant porch with a horde of media clamoring for his attention. The 29-year-old speaks slowly and softly. He stands with a sort of innocence about him ignoring his surroundings. The calming and relaxing beach scene is quite a contrasting image to the hectic media onslaught that all converged for Pacquiao. (Not to discredit Pacquiao?s opponent David Diaz, but he?s never experienced this kind of media attention in any of his previous fights.)
His quiet nature is also a discrepancy in Pacquiao?s own life. From the outside, he?s a gentle human being who would always take the time to sign a boxing glove or take a picture with a fan. But inside him is a competitive fire, one that burns and drives Pacquiao to success in the boxing ring.
He knows his spot in boxing history is solidified. Come Saturday, June 28, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Pacquiao can further enhance his stranglehold in the below welterweight division in boxing. A win against David Diaz, a formidable opponent, will take Pacquiao?s popularity to greater heights.
The three-time World Division champion (four titles if you count the 126-pound Ring Magazine title), Pacquiao has his eyes set on Diaz?s WBC Lightweight (135-pounds) Title. He would become the first ever Asian and Filipino boxer to accomplish such feat.
Looking at Pacquiao now with a ripped toned body similar to Bruce Lee?s, it?s hard to imagine that he started out as a scrawny 16-year-old strawweight of 106-pounds hailing from General Santos, Philippines.
At the age of 19, Pacquiao captured his first of three titles after knocking out Chatchai Sasakul of Thailand for the WBC Flyweight title. He then went up in weight and won the WBC International Superbantamweight title, and most recently, the WBC Super Featherweight title against Juan Manuel Marquez.
Top Rank President Bob Arum said that Pacquiao?s attempt to move up in weight for the world title should be even more reason why fans should come out and watch this “historic” fight.
“Moving up in weight is hard because nobody does that anymore,” said Top Rank President Bob Arum. “These aren?t Mickey Mouse belts. All four belts will be World Boxing Council belts, which arguably are the most important belts.
“Come Saturday, we?re going to see Manny make possibly history if he beats David Diaz.”
This fight also marks the first time Pacquiao will have the label “pound-4-pound” top boxer. Ring Magazine, the bible of boxing, bestowed the Filipino with the honor after Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement.
