| |
|
WBC Champ Diaz Challenges Pacquiao
By Bill Velasco PhilBoxing.com Mon, 12 Nov 2007

CHICAGO -- After the WBC told Manny Pacquiao to fight for a title, and after sending Erik Morales into retirement, World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz issues a challenge to Manny Pacquiao.
The 1996 Olympian admitted that he was greatly fulfilled by being able to defeat a noble warrior like Morales.
"To have a victory over a legend, a living legend, was unbelievable. I mean this guy had fights with Pacquiao, Barrera. He kept the Mexican name high. And that's something I wanted to do and got it," Diaz told this writer at the Jabs gym here.
It took the Mexican ten years to become a world champion after campaigning in the Atlanta Olympics. Along the way, he overcame going into debt to pay for his mother's kidney transplant, the death of his brother due to AIDS, and a tear in his Achilles tendon. But he knows he won't be truly feared in the boxing world unless he beats the biggest draw in the fight game today: Manny Pacquiao.
"Not only would I be fighting a legend, I would be fighting the number one guy who has captivated the world in boxing."
After everything he's been through to become king of his weight class, Diaz says he has tremendous respect for the Pacman.
"What makes him tough? His aggressiveness, his toughness, and his hard punch," Diaz elaborates. "He's a non-stop worker in the ring. He's fast. You have to stay away from his left. That left could bring down a building, honestly."
But Diaz feels the fight would not be one-sided.
"I think his style would be a perfect match for my style. I don't back down from a fight. I work my butt off. So Manny, if you're listening, let's get this fight on," the champion called out.
The only question now is how interested Pacquiao would be in moving up and trying his luck in the next weight division. And what pay-off it would take to lure him there.
Editor's Note: PhilBoxing.com would like to give a warm welcome to its newest contributor, Bill Velasco.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Bill Velasco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City! , Sun, 26 Jul 2026Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday , Sun, 26 Jul 2026'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026SYDNEY WEIGH-IN REPORT: Spence and Tszyu On Weight; Co-Main Event Cancelled After Fulton Blows Weight By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Fury Halts Wach in Thailand, Leaving Ball in Joshua’s Court for Mega-Fight By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Great First Half of the Year for the WBC By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026CK Ingles to Host Open 2x2 Team and Open Individual Rapid Chess Tournaments with ₱100,000 Prize Pool By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Magnificent 7 boxers gird for Asiad By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Arca wins silver in Asian Youth in Shenzhen, China By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange final words at Press Conference ahead of 'The Comeback' By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026SYDNEY SHOWDOWN: Spence and Tszyu Exchange Final Verbal Barbs; Undercard Weight Drama Unfolds at Press Conference By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 24 Jul 2026“BUTTERFLY BRAWL” MARKS RETURN TO ICONIC SANTA MONICA PIER By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026AIM Jerick Faeldonia vying for Bangkok chess tilt By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel , Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4 By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|