MANNY PACQUIAO VS. DAVID DIAZ
* When, where, how much — Saturday night at Mandalay Bay Events Center; telecast on HBO pay-per-view starting at 6 (Pacific time) at a cost of $49.95. Main event will start around 8:30.
* Story line –Pacquiao, who started his career as a 107-pound boxer, will try to add to his world titles at 112, 122 and 130 pounds by taking away David Diaz’s 135-pound title. Diaz, a former Olympian, has only recently emerged as a main-event fighter and is the underdog.
* Friday’s weigh-in — Both fighters looked sculpted. Pacquiao came in at 134 1/2 pounds, Diaz right at 135. Afterward, Diaz and his entourage headed for a sit-down meal in a restaurant. Pacquiao went back stage, sat down at a table with a few friends and started eating.
* Best weigh-in moment — Undercard boxer Stevie Luevano of La Puente, having to make 126 pounds for his featherweight title fight with Mario Santiago of Puerto Rico, weighed 126 1/2 . He stepped back, was shielded by various officials, stripped off his underwear and weighed 126.
* Other undercard fights to watch — Humberto Soto of Mexico vs. Francisco Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic for a title at 130 pounds; American heavyweights Tye Fields and Monte Barrett. Fields is 6 feet 9 and a former basketball player.
* Friday’s sideshows — 1) The goat used by promoters to try and entice Cubs’ fan Diaz to claim that a victory would end the curse of the goat that some Cubs fans blame for their team’s ongoing poor fortune was turned away at the door of the weigh-in by Mandalay Bay officials. 2) Former champion Fernando Vargas, who fought in several light and middleweight divisions and is here to back Olympic teammate Diaz, looked as if any comeback effort would have to be as a heavyweight.
