LOS ANGELES ? Manny Pacquiao says there will be no excuses when he locks horns with David Diaz on Sunday at Mandalay Bay.
“If he loses, he loses. If I win, I win,” Pacquiao assured.
Intentional or not, the statement smacks of Pacquiao?s pride and confidence just days before he slugs it out with one of the lightweight division?s hardest punchers.
Pacquiao, however, is not taking Diaz lightly.
Whenever he thinks about David Diaz, the image that flashes through his mind is that of the swashbuckling slugger who sent Mexican legend Erik Morales into retirement.
Not the floundering fellow who looked lethargic against a mediocre opponent in his last outing.
“That?s not the real David Diaz,” said Pacquiao on Sunday as he took a break from his hectic training schedule at the Wild Card in Hollywood.
“So, it is not right to base his performance against (my one-time sparmate) Ramon Montano on what he can do against me this Saturday. The David Diaz who fought Montano (last March 15) is not the real David Diaz,” said the 29-year-old Filipino banger.
Diaz, who is defending the World Boxing Council lightweight crown, struggled against the light-hitting and inexperienced Montano.
But Pacquiao does not think that the 32-year-old native of Chicago is going to be an easy prey.
Despite odds that continue to soar in his favor, Pacquiao refuses to issue out a prediction.
Betting experts have installed him the -450 favorite and Diaz a +300 underdog.
Based on this betting line, a 0 wager on Pacquiao will only win 0, while a mere 0 bet on Diaz will win 0.
“It?s really hard to tell what?s going to happen,” said Pacquiao, who will be fighting for the 14th time on US shores. “All boxers want to win by knockout and I know Diaz is also looking to score a big win over me.”
“Of course, I will try to go for a knockout so the fans will get their money?s worth. But what I can guarantee right now is that there?ll be lots of action,” said Pacquiao.
The Filipino incon holds his last workout Monday morning at the Wild Card prior to attending a press conference at Mariasol Cocina Mexican in Santa Monica at 2 p.m.
Diaz arrived at 9:30 p.m. Sunday on board United Airlines flight No. 127 from Chicago. The fighter and his entourage were brought to the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel for an overnight stay.
Diaz was joined by manager-trainer Jim Strickland, training assistant Mike Garcia and publicist Bernie Bahrmasel.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum will preside over the press conference with a huge turnout of Pacquiao supporters expected to show up at the scenic pier to root for their idol.
In Las Vegas, Pacquiao will train beginning Tuesday until Thursday at the IBA Compound on Euclid Street which is several blocks from the Strip.
Although Pacquiao and Diaz will arrive Monday with Diaz taking a commercial flight and Pacquiao opting to drive, the formal arrival ceremonies take place Tuesday.
For Diaz, it will be at 11:00 am and 11:30 a.m. for Pacquiao. Media workouts for the two will follow at noon at the 12,000-seat Events Center, venue for Saturday?s match.
The final press conference will be staged Wednesday, while the official weighin will be Friday at 2:30 p.m.
