Friday, July 04, 2008 After David, Julio Diaz wants crack at Pacman
WITH the new World Boxing Council lightweight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao searching for his next foe, former International Boxing Federation lightweight titleholder Julio Diaz wants to join the long list of opponents craving for a shot at the “Pacman.”
Diaz wants the Filipino Ring icon to stay in the lightweight category and not go up another notch to the junior welterweight division and challenge British brawler Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton.
“There are still good fighters out there. I hope he sticks around,” Diaz said in a report posted at www.thesweetscience.com. “I want to keep my position so I can get in the mix.”
Opponents
The former champion feels that the 29-year-old Pacquiao, who battered David Diaz for the WBC lightweight crown, still have a lot of possible opponents in the 135-pound division, including two other Diazes.
Among the prospect foes are the former IBF, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association lightweight king Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, who dethroned Julio of the IBF crown last year in a ninth round TKO, the current IBF, WBO and WBA titlist Nate “Galaxy Warrior” Campbell, Bobby Pacquiao tormentor Urbano Antillon and lightweight newcomer Joan Guzman.
Others who are also in the Pacquiao race are lethal knockout artist Edwin Valero and Juan Manuel Marquez, who also went a division higher looking for a trilogy against Pacquiao.
Julio believes that there are more swifter fighters among lightweights, who are unlike the slow slugger David whom Pacquiao knocked out in the ninth round with a powerful left. (EKA)
