LOS ANGELES ? Trainer Freddie Roach has given Manny Pacquiao the green light to enjoy a break from boxing but reminded his prized pupil to keep a close watch on his weight while they?re still awaiting for the finalization of the proposed June 28 fight with David Diaz.
“Well, I just told him to look after his weight,” said Roach on Saturday, just hours before Pacquiao boarded a Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight back to Manila.
Pacquiao has been here since Jan. 14 when he kicked off eight solid weeks of training under Roach at the Wild Card Boxing Club for the rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
Pacquiao is scheduled to touch down in Manila early Monday and is expected to be given a ticker-tape parade around Metro Manila on the strength of his scintillating 12-round split decision victory over Marquez last March 15 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Top Rank chief Bob Arum has publicly declared that should Pacquiao?s wound underneath his right eyebrow heals quickly, the 29-year-old Filipino will likely slug it out with Diaz, who will stake his World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight crown, also at Mandalay Bay.
Diaz also had a tough time last March 15 as the 31-year-old Chicago native had to dig deep into his reservoir of energy en route to a hard-earned 10-round decision over Ramon Montano of Mexico.
Like Pacquiao, Diaz is also in the dark as to what is on the horizon although he is also raring to return to training.
“I am ready to start (training) camp this month if the fight stays on schedule,” said Diaz, who is best remembered for sending Erik Morales to retirement after he outpointed the Mexican great last August.
Despite the huge odds against Pacquiao, acknowledged as the No. 2 top fighter in the world pound-for-pound, Diaz is unperturbed.
“I?ve heard it all before (and) it doesn?t bother me. When we fight, it?s just me and him. He?s been a great fighter and has beaten some true legends so it?s a terrific challenge,” said Diaz, a three-time US National Golden Gloves champion and member of the US squad to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
