Sunday, June 29, 2008 Quijano: Durable David or Mighty Manny? By Jingo Quijano Last Round
REMEMBER how Erik Morales re-tested the lightweight waters by first trying out David Diaz who was perceived to be the “weakest” of the reigning champions?
Well, in the very first round Diaz battered him from pillar to post and if not for a very timely right hand counter from “El Terrible” which resulted in a knockdown, Diaz would certainly have earned a 10-8 round.
That opening salvo would dictate the frenetic pace of the fight, and although I thought Morales did enough to win, it was a very rude awakening for what was in store for him at lightweight.
He promptly announced his retirement after that fight.
GUMPTION. As a fighter, Diaz isn’t hard to find, simply because he brings it to you. He’s in your face all night long and it’s his tenacity that wins him fights.
What he lacks in terms of boxing finesse, he certainly makes up for it by sheer gumption.
Gumption impelled him to get up from that stinging knockdown to continuously bring the fight to the legendary Erik Morales and earn the nod of the judges via UD.
And it was gumption that prodded him to shock Armando Sta Cruz with a sneaky uppercut in the 10th round in a fight he was trailing on all scorecards.
Gumption again will be his trump card when he squares off today against the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport who has been pegged as a prohibitive 4-1 favorite.
FACTORS. So how do these fighters match up?
There’s a reason why Manny is the favored fighter and it’s not because his chin is shorter than David’s.
Speed definitely goes to Manny. By a mile. Or rather by several miles per hour. Chin? Diaz has been caught flush by Morales and Kendall Holt but he got up quickly and seemed unhurt. Manny has shown a pretty good chin lately and although I’m inclined to give him the advantage—because it’s untested at lightweight, I’d say they’re even steven.
FIGHTING STYLES. Diaz continuously moves forward behind a high guard and is in his element when an opponent is cornered where he can bang away with hooks and crosses.
In contrast, Manny is more comfortable in the middle of the ring where he can explosively lash out at his opponent with a jab to set up his deadly left straight.
CRUCIAL. The first three rounds of the fight will be very crucial. Barring any sudden blowouts during these nine minutes, expect one fighter to start dominating the fight and imposing his will in the fourth.
If Manny’s speed flourishes in the first three rounds and he is able to dart in and out and land flush punches before Diaz can counter, then he has set the tone for remainder of the fight.
In such a case expect an easy decision win or even a stoppage due to cuts.
If, however, Diaz is able to outmuscle Manny in the first few rounds, land his bombs and effectively cut off the ring, then his confidence will grow. He will become bolder with his attacks and with his impressive cardio, he can end the fight in the later rounds if he wears out Manny.
WHAT MANNY MUST DO. Box. It’s that simple. Stick him with the one-two and step back. Hit him again with a right hook and step aside.
Give the plodding Diaz different and difficult angles to work with. Befuddle and bedazzle.
If he manages to corner you, let good old-fashioned pride step aside. Rather than engage him in phone-book brawl where he is most comfortable, tie him up instead. Embrace him tighter than your true love.
Think Floyd Mayweather against Ricky Hatton or Oscar dela Hoya. Take away your opponent’s strengths and frustrate him.
Finally, don’t forget to target the body. The Diaz punching machine runs on stamina and durability. Effective body punching will hopefully slow him down and make him feel winded in the later rounds where Manny can then take him out or pound out a convincing beating to earn the judges’ nod.
PREDICTION. Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision in a fight where he gets stunned a couple of times, but where Diaz tastes the canvas and gets cut.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on Atty. Melanie Zosa-Tan who recently turned a year older and happier with not one, but two Oscars in her life. Cheers!
