LAS VEGAS ? Manny Pacquiao has already set the timetable for 2008 and it will be kicked off by a fight in February possibly against World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz of the US.
Less than 24 hours after outgunning Marco Antonio Barrera on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay, Pacquiao met with Top Rank president Todd DuBoef at the lobby of The Hotel Sunday afternoon.
“There?s nothing final yet,” said Pacquiao. “I can fight at 130 lbs and also at 135. I am willing to fight anyone. I will fight anywhere as long as it will be next year, say February but it would all depend on the negotiations that will take place. We all have to talk about this.”
Joining Pacquiao in the exploratory talks with DuBoef were adviser Wakee Salud and lawyer Jeng Gacal.
DuBoef, 39, is the stepson of Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who appointed DuBoef to the post in late 2004. DuBoef has been described by Arum as being extremely bright.
Pacquiao reportedly had to get rid of three pounds on the day of the weigh-in.
“I had a hard time making 130 lbs for the Barrera fight but I think I can still make it,” said Pacquiao, who posted a lopsided 12-round decision over the Mexican legend before a crowd of 10,112 at the Events Center.
Despite Pacquiao?s seemingly below-par performance, a far cry from his explosive manner with which he disposed of high-end rivals such as Erik Morales (twice) and durable punchers like Hector Velazquez and Jorge Solis, Pacquiao proved that, while he is a tremendous finisher, he also has top-rated boxing skills.
“They all saw my new style and I was aggressive while Barrera was not. It seemed he didn?t want to fight and I pity the people who were watching. They all came to see us exchange blows,” said Pacquiao as he was busy signing autographs and posing for pictures.
“I showed that I can also box for the entire 12 rounds,” added Pacquiao.
A holder of a 33-1-1 win-loss-draw card with 17 knockouts, Diaz, 31, is a member of the 1996 US team to the Atlanta Olympics where he reached the second round before being eliminated by eventual silver medal winner Oktay Urkal of Germany.
By the time he turned professional shortly after his futile Olympic campaign, Diaz had fought over 170 amateur fights and had amassed four National Golden Gloves titles.
Trainer Freddie Roach recently described Diaz as a “conditioning freak like Manny but doesn?t punch as hard as Manny.”
Meanwhile, another top-notch lightweight, Cuban Joel Casamayor, is daring Pacquiao to face him to prove that the Filipino is “mediocre at best.”
“He?s a regular fighter and he just comes forward and throws a lot of punches,” said Casamayor, who was unimpressed with Pacquiao?s decision victory over Marco Antonio Barrera.
Casamayor went further down in assessing Pacquiao and threw a shot south of the border.
“Between me and you, I think he?s a maricon (faggot). He?s calling out lightweights like David Diaz and saying he wants to move up in weight, but he doesn?t mention my name,” Casamayor told boxing.net.
