Delay unlikely in Manny-Diaz bout

Because the cuts he sustained in beating Juan Manuel Marquez are healing properly, there will likely be no postponement in Manny Pacquiao’s next fight against WBC lightweight champion David Diaz in Las Vegas on June 28.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the other day in an overseas telephone conversation from Los Angeles the plan “as it stands” is to push through with the bout which could earn for the Filipino icon a fourth world title, excluding the unsanctioned “people’s” featherweight crown he won from Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003.

Pacquiao suffered two cuts above the right eye in his win over Marquez for the WBC superfeatherweight diadem in Las Vegas last March 15 and plastic surgeon Dr. Jeff Roth sewed up the wounds in a three-layer procedure that took 18 stitches, 10 in the inner skin and eight in the outer.

Koncz described Dr. Roth as one of the best plastic surgeons in the US.

“I don’t think there will be a postponement,” said Koncz. “Dr. Roth told me the cuts shouldn’t be a problem as the stitching was done in layers so it will minimize scar tissue and heal stronger. There will be less scar tissue formation. Ordinarily, doctors close up cuts with a row of stitches but Dr. Roth did multi-layer stitching which is why it took over an hour to finish.”

Last week, Pacquiao was supposed to visit Dr. Roth’s associate in Beverly Hills for his outer stitches to be removed but with the wounds healing on schedule, decided to cancel the visit. Dr. Allan Recto, one of Pacquiao’s close friends, took out the eight non-absorbable stitches in the outer layer instead.

“Luckily, the cuts weren’t deep,” said Koncz. “We were concerned at first but Dr. Roth did a good job of patching up the cuts. While sewing up Manny, Dr. Roth noticed a cut he suffered in the San Antonio fight (against Jorge Solis on a headbutt) last year wasn’t stitched properly. I think it was done by a local commission doctor. So Dr. Roth fixed that, too.”

Koncz said Pacquiao will probably go back to the US to be re-examined by Dr. Roth in mid-April and discuss plans for the future with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. If Dr. Roth gives his go-signal, Pacquiao will then begin a seven to eight-week training regimen for Diaz.

Koncz said he will advise against fighting Marquez in a rematch of their rematch because there is nothing left to prove in battling the Mexican a third time.

“”Marquez should’ve lost by split decision in their first fight and a judge admitted he made a mistake in scoring a draw instead of a one-point advantage for Manny,” said Koncz. “I don’t think there was any controversy in the second fight, except in the minds of Marquez’ people. Because of their styles, every time Manny and Marquez fight, it’ll always be close. Why give Marquez a chance to win? Marquez is begging for a third fight because he’s got nowhere else to go for a big purse. He’s 34 and from where I sit, Manny’s beaten him twice.”

Koncz said fighting Diaz is another step for Pacquiao to build his legacy.

“Diaz is tailor-made for Manny,” said Koncz. “He swings wide, he bends his head down, he fights straight up and he’s not a huge power puncher. It’ll be a good test for Manny to find out how he’ll do as a lightweight. Manny came in weighing 146 for Marquez and he’s been struggling to make 130 so the move up is timely. It’ll be another big money fight for Manny.”