I feel very strongly that Megamanny Pacquiao will score a spectacular KO over WBC lightweight champion David Diaz on June 28 in Las Vegas.
Pitting Pacman in his first foray among the 135-pounders is a brilliant bit of matchmaking by Top Rank?s Bruce ?Southland? Trampler and serves as yet another example of why he will eventually get the call to the hall (International Boxing Hall Of Fame in Canastota, NY.)
But let?s not go overboard on what a pulverizing Pacquiao proves by beating Diaz, the hard-working, lunch pail style fighter from Chicago.
This will be a victory over the Weakest Link.
In whipping DD, Pacman will knock off the most vulnerable champion in the division. I hesitate to call Diaz a fluke champion but isn?t that what he is, having caught wheezing, shotski legend Erik Morales when he was skidding?
And he barely beat Morales!
So Paclanders, friends and foes alike, let?s play the what if game.
Let?s match up Diaz with some of the other top class lightweights and predict the result.
DIAZ VS. NATE CAMPBELL: I see Soupy winning a 12-round duke in a romp.
DIAZ VS. JOEL CASAMAYOR: Depends on which Casa shows up. But Joel’s tricks and tactics would be too much for the pedestrian Diaz to overcome. Casamayor UD 12.
DIAZ VS. JOAN GUZMAN: Speed kills. Dominican Dandy would make slew-footed Diaz look his legs are stuck in concrete. Guzman could do what legend Willie Pep once did, actually win a round without throwing a single punch. Guzman UD 12.
DIAZ VS. JUAN DIAZ: Hate to say it but this is a piece of cake for Baby Bull. He took a licking and kept on ticking against Soupy but Diaz would be overwhelmed by pudgy Houstonian. Juanito takes wide 12-round verdict.
DIAZ VS. MICHAEL KATSIDIS: Scorcher of fight with Katsidis always coming forward. This bout would go back and forth, as Cosell used to say, the shifting tide,,,blah, blah, blah. They could be even steven after 12. Final result: DRAW.
So celebrate Pacmaniacs when Manny grabs the green and gold belt. But keep it in perspective.
There are lightweight land mines ahead after the Weakest Link has been exposed and exploited.
