Diaz may nais patunayan

Hindi lamang ang pagpapanatili sa kanyang world lightweight crown ang pakay ni Mexican-American David Diaz kay Filipino challenger Manny Pacquiao, kundi maging ang pagpapatunay sa kanyang mga kritiko na siya ay nararapat tawaging boxing superstar.

 “Manny Pacquiao is one of the best fighters, pound-for-pound, right now,” ani Diaz. ”So to step into the ring with him is also an honor and it’s a test for me to prove to myself because I know a lot of writers out there don’t really believe in me.” 

Nakatakdang idepensa ni Diaz ang kanyang hawak na World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight belt laban kay Pacquiao sa Hunyo 28 sa Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino sa Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sa kabila ng matagumpay niyang unanimous decision kay dating three-division titlist Erik Morales noong Agosto para sa kanyang unang title defense, marami pa rin ang hindi bumibilib sa kakayahan ni Diaz, miyembro ng U.S. Team sa 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

 Ayon sa 31-anyos na si Diaz, hindi niya isusuko ang kanyang WBC lightweight crown laban sa 29-anyos na si Pacquiao, ang bagong WBC super featherweight ruler.

 “So I know I have to believe in myself in order to be victorious. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him and for Freddie Roach as well,” wika ni Diaz. “But I plan on keeping the WBC lightweight championship. I’m sorry to tell you guys that. Especially to the Filipino people, I’m sorry.”(RCadayona)