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HOW many
times has Manny Pacquiao heard this? A guy—who’s Mexican
more often than not—comes into every pre-fight press
conference promising he’ll take down the Pacman.
Of
course, it’s either the opponent thumps his chest and
brags, or admits altogether he’s done for the fight,
packs his bags and goes home.
But the
boxer nicknamed “The Baby Bull,” who shared the same
presidential table as Pacquiao at a news conference on
Tuesday in Los Angeles, may be a different animal.
Whatmakes the Pacquiao-Diaz
fight highly anticipated is the volume of punches both
are expected to throw at each other. Bob Arum said it
best: "Here are two guys who come to fight." -- AP
“It’s
not going to be an easy fight,” admitted Pacquiao
trainer Freddie Roach, referring to—if not
revering—David Diaz, Pacquiao’s next opponent.
“People
don’t go to the Olympics and become world champions by
accident. David’s a very good fighter. This is the first
time we’re fighting southpaws since Manny and I have
been together. We have our work cut out for us. But
we’re ready.”
Roach
said it all. Pacquiao has never met a foe as decorated
as Diaz. Plus the American is relatively young—compared
with Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales—only turning
32 a few weeks before his date with Pacquiao on June 28.
Match
promoter Bob Arum, who’s seen generations of fighters
come and go, said there’s nothing about Diaz that should
be taken for granted.
“I think
David is the kind of kid who never quits,” Arum
professed. “He’s always in shape. He’s not going to give
any quarter. His ability is limited, yes. He’s not going
to compete for style points with a [Floyd Jr.]
Mayweather but he’s the kind of guy who can give you
trouble.”
Jim
Strickland sounded so laid back when asked what he
thinks about the main event of the “Lethal Combination”
card.
“We’re
not in any under unusual pressure because of the odds,”
Diaz’s trainer said. “I always say that odds, being
there are favorites and underdogs, it’s why sports
exists. If every time we go into an event and the
favored one, sports wouldn’t exist. I believe the
unexpected can happen.”
What
people should expect though is for this to be a
slam-bang, street-brawl, classic-gladiator affair.
“People
want to see a fight where the fighters don’t know
anything but go straight ahead and throw punches and be
entertained round after round. This is the fight people
want to see,” Arum said.
“This is
not going to be a very artistic fight, not a very
scientific fight but it’s going to be a fight. That’s
the difference. Here are two guys who come to fight,” he
added.
There
are concerns that Pacquiao’s training may be too short,
or that coming off a brutal fight with Juan Manuel
Marquez may be too taxing, or that the increase in
weight may be too demanding. But read Pacquiao’s lips:
Don’t worry, all bases are covered.
“David’s
style is accurate to mine,” Pacquiao said in deftly
improving English. “I know he’ll do his best and I know
I’ll do my best. So this will be a great match.” |
