HOLLYWOOD–Manny Pacquiao expects to hit either 134 pounds or the 135-lb limit during the official weigh-in for his World Boxing Council lightweight title bout against champion David Diaz on June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
But come fight time, the Filipino super star prefers to be at 144 to 146, the same weight he registered when he wrested the WBC super featherweight crown from Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15 at the same venue.
Facing the media after eight rounds of sparring and a routine non-stop two-hour workout at the Wild Card Gym here, Pacquiao said he feels just fine, nine days before he bids to become the first Filipino and–Asian for that matter–to become world champion in four different divisions.
Actually, the 29-year-old Pacquiao is also aiming to immortalize himself as the first Filipino world lightweight titlist, a feat which evaded even the great Gabriel “Flash Elorde” in two attempts.
“Okay lang ang kundisyon ko (I’m fit),” said Pacquiao, before eating a late lunch at his favorite Thai restaurant here. “I always make it a point to be in good condition.”
Indeed, Pacquiao, who hit the scales at 139 lb on Wednesday, displayed superb form in sparring and workout on Thursday.
Against Julio Gamboa, a playful Pacquiao asked his sparmate to hit him with all his strength in the midsection before unleashing a barrage of punches of his own that wasn’t meant to hurt but to find the target.
He focused on defense against Filipino-Puerto Rican Carlos Tagarong. After allowing Tagarong to pummel him with blows at the ropes, he broke free with combinations of uppercuts and short crosses.
In the last 30 seconds of their three-round workout, however, Pacquiao showed that he could connect as he pleased.
Against Mexican-American Steve Quinones, Pacquiao was even more relaxed, gamely trading blows and absorbing some as he concentrated on foot movement. But near the end of their third-rounder, Pacquiao again showcased his speed, drawing applause from a hundred or so fans at the cramped, sweaty gym.
Pacquiao recalled that when he hit the scales for the Marquez fight, he was fully clothed with sandals and a jacket to boot.
The GenSan lefty later declined to categorically say if he would go for a knockout win against Diaz. He failed to stop Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera in his last two fights.
“Malakas din ‘yun (He’s also strong),” Pacquiao said of Diaz, who also fights like a brawler. “Let’s just see what happens.”
