If he plays his cards right, Manny Pacquiao might just end up as the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
Pacquiao, according to his adviser Wakee Salud, can handle both champions in the 135 lb division ? David Diaz of the WBC and Juan Diaz of the WBA, WBO and IBF.
?I think he can beat these two Diazes. But Manny should take on David first. For me, this is the easier fight, and easier to stage because he is also under Top Rank,? said Salud.
?Then he can take the WBC crown, and later on face Juan Diaz in a unification bout. That will be the dream fight for Manny next year. Big money and all the titles at stake.?
Pacquiao, a day after beating Marco Antonio Barrera in Las Vegas, bared his plans to try it as a lightweight, and take a shot at Diaz, a veteran of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
But Diaz, who beat Erik Morales on points last August, said for the fight to take place, Top Rank should give him a ?seven-digit? purse.
?Then give him a million dollars,? said Salud, adding that Pacquiao will still get more facing this Diaz than any other takers in the super-featherweight division.
?There?s no big money fight at 130 lbs. (Humberto) Soto is not a big fight or (Edwin) Valero or (Joan) Guzman. The only big fight there is (Juan Manuel) Marquez but he?s asking too much,? said Salud.
The Cebu-based boxing figure said Pacquiao will have no problem beating David, and should do the same against Juan, a clear winner over another Diaz and former IBF king, Julio, last Sunday.
Juan called out Pacquiao?s name after Sunday?s title fight, saying it?s time for the Filipino to face a fighter like him, and not get busy beating ?old? Mexican warriors.
Juan, nicknamed ?The Baby Bull,? is under Don King.
?Juan Diaz is a very good boxer. He throws a lot of punches. But he?s no match to Manny?s great speed. Manny can hit him anytime he wants. Manny can beat this Diaz, too,? said Salud.
If this happens, Pacquiao will end up slouched, with all four belts in the lightweight division ? the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF. Then he can do whatever he wants.
He can even retire wearing all these belts.
