LAS VEGAS, Nevada, United States — A superstar gunning for history and a champion still longing for recognition will battle it out for the World Boxing Council lightweight belt Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center here.
Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino ring icon is heavily favored to beat David Diaz, the Mexican-American titlist, and become the first Asian to hold four world crowns in four weight divisions.
If he succeeds, the 29-year-old Pacquiao, the former WBC flyweight and International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion and current WBC super featherweight king, will also be the first Filipino to reign in the 135-pound class.
Odds-makers in this entertainment capital, have installed Pacquiao, the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, a -500 favorite and Diaz a +400 underdog in their 12-round duel to be beamed in the United States and Canada by HBO pay-per-view.
Rather than be complacent, however, Pacquiao has become more determined to beat the 32-year-old Diaz and bring some joy to his countrymen back home, reeling from the devastation caused by typhoon “Frank.”
“Para sa inyo ang laban na ito (This fight is for you),” said Pacquiao. “Gagawin ko ang aking makakaya at sana?y ipagdasal ninyo ang tagumpay ko (I’ll do my best and please pray for my victory).”
Reaping the benefits of nearly seven weeks of intense training at celebrated trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, Pacquiao breezed through the weigh-in on Friday at 134.5 pounds.
Diaz, who trained for nine weeks at the Jabb Gym in Chicago, also made it in his first try at the scales at an exact 135 lb.
Pacquiao holds a 46-win, 3-loss, 2-draw record with 35 knockouts as against the 34-1-1 card with 17 knockouts of Diaz, who’s relishing his second fiddle role.
Finally breaking his silence, Pacquiao said he’ll bring the fight to Diaz, a fellow southpaw, right at the start.
“Attack agad,” said Pacquiao, who refused to predict a knockout victory despite Roach’s earlier pronouncements that he’d like to see his ward knock out Diaz in the late rounds.
Though aware of Pacquiao’s reputation as a heavy hitter, Diaz insists he can beat General Santos?s pride in his own game and keep the title he defended against Mexican legend Erik Morales last year.
Pacquiao yielded to Morales in their first showdown but went on to win their next two bouts, both by stoppage.
But Diaz is unfazed: “I’m willing to go toe-to-toe with him. I won’t give my belt to him.”
Despite his big edge in speed and power, Pacquiao believes Diaz poses a real threat in the 12-round bout that has lured hundreds of boxing aficionados from the Philippines to this gambling and entertainment city that sprouted out of the Mojave Desert.
“This is one of my hardest fights,” said Pacquiao. “He trained just as hard and is determined to keep his title.”
Veteran referee Vic Drakulich will be the third man in the ring in the fight already touted to be a candidate for Fight of the Year with punches yet to be thrown.
Jim Strickland, Diaz’s trainer, believes the longer the fight goes, the brighter his ward’s chances become.
Teener Nicole Angela will sing the national anthem while Fil-Am Jasmine Villegas was again tapped to render the US anthem after her soulful delivery in the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch on March 15 at the same venue.
