SAN FRANCISCO ? Manny Pacquiao wants to push through with the June 28 battle with American David Diaz in Las Vegas, a key Team Pacquiao member said on Wednesday.
“Manny says he can return to the ring as scheduled in late-June,” said Pacquiao confidant Wakee Salud.
Top Rank head Bob Arum had earlier penciled June 28 as the date for Pacquiao?s crack at Diaz?s World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight crown.
The 12-000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, venue of Pacquiao?s pulsating split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez, has been tapped to host the bout.
Arum had expressed fears that the original playdate of June 28 will have to be postponed owing to a cut Pacquiao sustained in his winning Marquez?s WBC super-featherweight title.
Jeffrey Ross, the plastic surgeon who stitched Pacquiao up after the Marquez tiff, said it will take six to eight weeks before the wound fully heals.
Diaz caught Arum?s eyes after the bull-strong Chicago native pounded out a lopsided ten-round decision over Ramon Montano of Mexico underneath the Pacquiao-Marquez headliner.
Diaz is also being promoted by Arum and the Hall of Fame promoter?s judgement to leave Marquez out in the cold despite a sure-fire knockout hit if he pairs Pacquiao and Marquez again for the rubber match is a business decision.
Should Arum go on with Pacquiao-Diaz, Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) will not have any financial say in the event since Pacquiao will be facing a fellow Top Rank fighter.
“The soup will not spill over the bowl,” said noted boxing man Ramon Lainez, who was at ringside when Pacquiao dethroned Marquez.
Marquez is under contract with GBP, the Los Angeles-based outfit owned by Oscar De La Hoya.
Arum said it is right and proper that people give Pacquiao and Marquez some space especially after what they went through.
“Give them some air,” said Arum during Saturday?s much-talked about post-fight press conference.
Although he is not against putting up a third fight between Pacquiao and Marquez, Arum is keen in seeing Pacquiao go after a fourth world championship when he returns to the ring.
