LAS VEGAS ? Regardless of what happens Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao?s place in the annals of ring history is secured.
But despite the many accolades he has received the past ten years, Pacquiao remains driven to succeed.
And this weekend?s clash with dangerous David Diaz of the US is not an exception.
“I will do everything I can (to win),” said Pacquiao on Wednesday just before he went out to train.
“A record is at stake and that?s my motivation–to make history,” said the 29-year-old reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight king, the sixth Filipino who will attempt to become the first to win the world lightweight championship.
Diaz is the current WBC 135-lb titleholder and his date with Pacquiao will only be the second time that he will put the crown on the line after sending Erik Morales into retirement in his initial defense in August last year.
Gabriel “Flash” Elorde tried twice and twice he got knocked out by Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico in 1964 and 1966, while Bert Somodio bowed to Joe Brown also in the ?60s and Hawaii-born Andy Ganigan was knocked out by Alexis Arguello of Nicaragua in 1981.
Dindo Canoy and Randy Suico attempted to break the jinx in 1995 and 2006, respectively, and were badly beaten as well.
“If I succeed, it would take some time before my accomplishments are going to be broken (by a Filipino fighter),” added Pacquiao, who has held world titles in the flyweight and superbantamweight classes.
Sure, maybe after one hundred years.
