LAS VEGAS ? Despite what the odds say, Jim Strickland believes his fighter David Diaz will win Saturday night?s clash with Manny Pacquiao on points.
“This is going to be nip and tuck, a much closer fight and I think the odds doesn?t speak for what David is able to do and it will go down the wire and to be decided in the last two or three rounds,” said Strickland on Friday after both fighters made the weight.
“We?ll come out ready to fight by the first round and we will throw our hardest punch at the fist opportunity but David is a slow-starter and I am trying to hard to make him win the first round and I hope he starts faster this time,” said Strickland, who will get assistance in the corner from Mike Garcia.
Reminded that Pacquiao is a fast-starter, Strickland said he has been telling the 32-year-old Chicago-bred clubber to buckle down to work earlier than usual.
“David responds to whatever is put in front of him and if a fighter comes out throwing punches, he will try to match it.”
Following the weigh-in, Strickland said the next 24 hours leading to the bout will see not only Diaz get plenty of rest but hydrate himself as well.
“No, (we had no difficulty making weight) and just exactly like in the past three or four fights. First thing to do is replenish his body with potassium and he didn?t do anything severe drying out, maybe a couple of bananas and not to gorge himself and eat two small meals before he goes to bed tonight.”
“Tomorrow, he will pretty much rest, get down to the cafeteria and have breakfast and his wife is here so he?s got good company.”
Told about rumors flying around that Pacquiao was said to be encountering problems making 135 lbs, Strickland said it was all false.
“I saw a well-conditioned athlete (when I saw Pacquiao weigh in 134 ? lbs) just like David. We heard rumor that he might be heavy but I didn?t believe that and that he might have taken my boy for granted by not training hard but we did not start believe anything like that from the very beginning.”
“This is going to be a memorable fight and nobody will forget this,” added Strickland.
