WORLD Boxing Association lightweight champion Juan Diaz has told Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao to bring it on, in response to comments by the Pacman that he could easily beat the undefeated 135-pound champion.
Pacquiao made the remarks after watching Diaz give fellow Filipino Randy Suico a bad beating, en route to a ninth-round TKO last week in Las Vegas.
Diaz told Boxing Talk that he accepted the challenge of Pacquiao, who had said he wanted to avenge the loss of Suico.
“Now, let’s see what happens,” said the 29-year-old Diaz, who has a record of 30-0 with 15 knockouts but is not regarded as a heavy puncher.
However, most boxing aficionados, including Suico’s manager, well-known Japanese matchmaker and journalist Joe Koizumi, credit Diaz for his speed, his ability to block punches and his great physical condition.
Diaz said his manager had told him that Pacquiao, one of the most exciting fighters in the world and considered by many as the no. 1 pound-for-pound, wanted to avenge his countryman’s defeat. Diaz said that would be great and a great opportunity if he could fight Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is scheduled to fight legendary Mexican Erik “El Terrible” Morales in their third encounter scheduled for Nov. 18 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.
