LAS VEGAS?It will take more than a super human effort for David Diaz to beat Manny Pacquiao on June 28.
?For Diaz to win he needs a f—-ng miracle,? said Freddie Roach, the renowned trainer of Pacquiao.
Roach also belittled Diaz?s plan to pressure Pacquiao in their showdown for the World Boxing Council lightweight crown, saying that?s all he can do.
?He (Diaz) can put pressure, but Manny won?t break down,? Roach stressed. ?He fought guys who got tired in the late rounds and I don?t see that happening to Manny.?
While he finds Diaz a little cocky, Roach said overall he?s okay as a person. But as a boxer, Roach believes the Mexican-American champion pales in comparison to the Filipino ring icon, who is bidding to become the first Filipino 135-pound king and the first Asian to hold four world titles in different weights.
?He?s a champion and let?s leave it that that.?
The 32-year-old Diaz brushed aside Roach?s comment, saying that?s somebody else?s opinion.
?I have my opinion of myself and I know I?ll win this fight,? said Diaz. ?I?ve done everything. Run, spar, jump rope, hit the bags and watch films (of Pacquiao fights).
Meanwhile, Pacquiao declared before a group of Filipino mediamen that he felt at home at the Mandalay Bay Events Center which he visited Tuesday.
?Feeling ko suwerte ako dito (I feel I?m lucky here),? said Pacquiao in response to a question by ABS-CBN?s Dyan Castillejo on whether he considers the 12,000-seat arena a lucky charm.
Understandably so, for Pacquiao posted his last two victories over Mexican greats Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, respectively, at the same venue.
It was made more pleasing by the fact that he snared Marquez?s World Boxing Council super featherweight belt last March notwithstanding the scary split decision win.
Pacquiao is seeking his third straight win at Mandalay and while he?s been tagged as overwhelming favorite to topple Diaz, Pacquiao said he still prays to the Lord to succeed.
The latest odds installed Pacquiao at minus 550 and Diaz at plus 420. This means every $550 bet on the Filipino superstar will yield just $100 (for a $650 return) while every $100 bet on the Mexican-American will return $420 (for a $520 return).
The disparity is bound to get even bigger with the expected influx of Filipino politicians, led by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, and celebrities like former senator Robert Jaworski as the fight draws near.
With his punching power preceding him, Pacquiao has been given an even chance of knocking out Diaz.
Pacquiao is not about to become complacent, however.
Just a few pounds over the 135-pound limit at 139, Pacquiao continues to train diligently though he has completed 140 rounds of sparring and six weeks of intensive training at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
In the morning, he jogged around the University of Nevada in Los Angeles oval for 40 minutes, with sprints in-between and then did sit-ups and exercises.
In the afternoon, he proceeded to the IBA gym for a 40-minute workout.
?This fight is for my family and my fellow Filipinos,? said Pacquiao.
