In confident mood, WBC lightweight titlist David Diaz expressed his readiness to take up the challenge when he goes up against the world’s most exciting and best pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao in a showdown of champions heading Top Rank’s “Lethal Combination” card this Sunday (RP time) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“This will be a good fight between myself and Manny. I trained really hard for this fight. I am a good fighter and champion. He has a strong and aggressive fighter. However, I am up for the challenge,” said Diaz during yesterday’s final press conference of the megabuck show at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California.
Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35KOs) himself is anticipating of a great fight with Diaz (34-1-1, 17KOs), but was cordial enough not to make any prediction.
“This will be a great fight between me and David Diaz. I will do my best to win the fight. I will let everyone know who the best is on June 28th,” said the Filipino ring superstar.
Pacquiao, the reigning WBC super featherweight champion, is eyeing to make history as the first Asian fighter to win four world titles in different weight divisions. The General Santos City fighter once reigned as the WBC flyweight and IBF super bantamweight champion.
“This is going to be a great fight. What is at stake is more than just a boxing match. You have Manny Pacquiao fighting for a fourth world title at a different weight class. David Diaz is defending his title for his beloved city of Chicago,” said Top Rank big boss Bob Arum.
Meanwhile, veteran referee Vic Drakulich will be the third man in the ring when Pacquiao slugs it out with Diaz, while CJ Ross, Gary Merrit and Paul Smith have been tapped as the judges.
Drakulich officiated the rubbermatch of the storied Pacquiao-Eric Morales trilogy on November 18, 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Center also in Las Vegas. Pacquiao won via a spectacular third round knockout.
Drakulich was also the referee when Rodel “Batang Mandaue” Mayol challenged and lost to WBC minimumweight champion Eagle Kyowa.