Diaz not taking Suico lightly in WBA title defense

Unbeaten World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champion Juan Diaz of Mexico said he is not taking Randy Suico lightly, even as he admitted the Cebuano hard-puncher as the toughest fighter he ever faced.

"Pacquiao started out with losses too," Diaz told Thesweetscience.com. "I don't look past anyone. I respect every fighter. Besides, Suico will be up for his biggest opportunity to date so he'll be ready."

Diaz, small in stature but is considered the "Mighty Mouse" in the lightweight division, will put his WBA belt on the line against Suico this Sunday in the undercard of the keenly-awaited rematch between Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"He may be the biggest guy I ever faced. Yes, I think he is," said Diaz in a report by Scrippsnews.com.

Diaz looks forward to fighting it out against the best in his division with Diego Corrales on top of his hitlist if he gets past Suico.

"I want to fight the best. My plan is to get a fight with any of the other champions. I want to fight Diego Corrales, Acelino Freitas and guys like them. I'm ready to step up," said Diaz, who captured the WBA world title by defeating Mongolia's Lavka Sim almost two years ago in his hometown of Houston.

Since turning pro with a first round knockout of Rafael Ortiz on June 23, 2000, the 22-year-old Diaz has yet to taste defeat in 29 fights, with 14 of his wins via stoppage. He previously kept his belt by beating Jose Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision over 12 heats last April 8.

Suico, on the other hand, sports a 24-2 record, including 21 victories by knockout. He reigned as the OPBF super featherweight champion, but voluntarily abdicated his throne to campaign in the lightweight ranks.

The 26-year-old Suico is the undergod against Diaz, but his trainer Juanito "Jun" Ablaca expressed confidence his ward will spring one major surprise in his only third ring appearance in the United States.

"Randy is in tip-top shape and he is ready to fight. I believe Randy will bring back the world belt to our country," said Ablaca.