Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Pacquiao, company off to Las Vegas By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
MANNY Pacquiao and his entourage headed to Las Vegas as the clock ticks closer to June 28, the day the Filipino boxing sensation will attempt to write boxing history when he fights David Diaz of Mexico for the latter's WBC lightweight crown.
Should Pacquiao, the power-punching lefty from General Santos City, prevail over Diaz in the 12-round championship bout, he will become the first Asian fighter to win four titles in different weight classes.
Make that five actually since Pacquiao had also beaten Marco Antonio Barrera in a featherweight showdown back in 2003, but the Filipino didn't win an official title that time after the Mexican was stripped of his championship belt by the WBC earlier.
This time, Pacquiao will be fighting for an official title, although he has to move up in weight again to do that against a tough fighter in Diaz.
Before leaving for Vegas, both Pacquiao and Diaz attended the a news conference at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California to promoted their titular clash.
Both fighters expressed confidence of winning the fight, which is scheduled at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
"This is a great fight between me and David Diaz. I will do my best to win the fight," Fightnews.com quoted Pacquiao as saying.
Diaz answered: "This will be a good fight between myself and Manny. I trained really hard for this fight. I'm a good fighter and champion."
Pacquiao's entourage includes his coaching staff led by famed American trainer Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, his family and friends.
