WITH days away from the much awaited lightweight war between Filipino superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and World Boxing Council lightweight titleholder David Diaz, famed Ring Magazine editor-in-chief Nigel Collins foresees a slugfest on June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Collins believes that it will be a bloody battle between two fighters sharing similar boxing style.
“We have a great potential to have a very exciting fight with lots of blows exchanged and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see some cuts and some knockdowns. I will be very surprised if it was a boxing match. I think its going to be a punch-out,” said Collins in a report posted at philboxing.com.
“Diaz is easy to hit, Manny likes to punch. Diaz is a naturally bigger man with a lot of endurance and a lot of strength so the old cliché that styles make fights I think will apply here,” he added.
The two fighters had a common foe in Erik Morales, whom Diaz battered in 12 rounds to retain his belt. On the other hand, Pacquiao KOed Morales twice after losing in his first bout against the Mexican legend.
Meanwhile, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum thinks the same way of this light weight clash of sluggers.
“It’s going to be a great fight. It’s going to be one of those knock-down, drag-out brawls. I can’t wait to see it,” said Arum to www.fightfan.com.
Quest
If Pacquiao wins this bout he will be the first Asian to ever achieve the difficult feat of winning four world titles in different divisions.
He has already won three world titles in three different divisions—the WBC flyweight title which he acquired from Thai pugilist Chatchai Sasakul in an 8th round KO in Thailand in 1998; the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight belt he won from African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba via TKO in the 6th round at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in 2001; and the WBC super featherweight crown which he recently obtained this year from his Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez in a 12 round unanimous decision victory. (EKA)
