CEBU CITY ? Former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz said Ricky Hatton?s fighting style is tailor-made for Manny Pacquiao?s awesome firepower.
Diaz, who was dethroned by Pacquiao last June, is in town along with undefeated WBA super-featherweight champion Edwin Valero upon the invitation of the city government of Cebu through Councilor Sylvan ?Jack? Jakosalem and Cebuano matchmaker Rex ?Wakee? Salud.
In a press conference held the other night, Diaz said he had no doubts Pacquiao would outgun the ?Hitman? in what could be another certified blockbuster being set for May 2 in Las Vegas.
?Pacquiao is too fast. He will catch Hatton,? said Diaz. ?Hatton hits hard and fights rough. He has the perfect style to get knocked out by Pacquiao.?
During his fight with Pacquiao, Diaz was no match against the speed and power of the reigning pound-for-pound king, and the native of Chicago looked like ?a statue with gloves.?
When sought for his comments on Pacquiao?s brutal eight-round destruction of Oscar de la Hoya two weeks ago, Diaz said Pacquiao was simply unbelievable.
?He was four notches higher (compared to his performance during their bout),? said Diaz. ?His speed is like, wow. He was so fast. The way he performed was unreal.?
Another fighter being considered as Pacquiao?s next opponent is Floyd Mayweather Jr. who retired last year, after beating Hatton and Dela Hoya, as the undefeated pound-for-pound champion.
Mayweather has sent feelers about coming out of retirement, and wants ?to see what?s out there.?
?If what we present him is something he?s interested in doing, he will do it,? said Mayweather?s adviser Leonard Ellerbe.
Mayweather has observed strict silence since he retired last June, but Ellerbe said the flamboyant fighter watched Hatton beat Paul Malignaggi last Nov. 22, and Pacquiao demolish Dela Hoya last Dec. 6.
?He did see Hatton?s fight and said it was the best Ricky had looked in a long time with his (estranged) dad (Floyd Mayweather Sr.) training him,? Ellerbe told ESPN.com. ?He said Ricky looked sharp with his father in the corner.?
Mayweather described Pacquiao as ?an excellent fighter and it was a tremendous win? and according to Ellerbe added that, ??he?s a good fighter, but I?ll beat his (expletive).??
Diaz said he?s open to a fight with former OPBF lightweight titlist Randy Suico in the undercard of the Nonito Donaire-Fernando Montiel WBO super flyweight championship on March 15 at the Araneta Coliseum.
But that fight suffered a blow even before it was sealed when Suico took a stunning loss to challenger Ichitaro Ishii in Japan last night.
?I?m not the one to say yes or no. But if it fits good for us and benefits my family, I wouldn?t hesitate at all,? said Diaz, awed by the Filipinos? warm reception given him and Valero since they attended Pacquiao?s birthday bash in Gen. Santos City last week.
?It?s been nice. I felt very welcome. I have nothing but love for the Filipino people,? said Diaz. ?I definitely want to fight here. I?d like to come back here and do something good for the Filipinos because they give me all nothing but love.?
Meanwhile, Valero, who had been very vocal on his desire to challenge Pacquiao, said he wants to face next Juan Manuel Marquez although he admitted there?s a probability he will take on Pacquiao in the future.
