Diaz readies counterpunch vs Pacquiao

Does David Diaz have more to offer against Manny Pacquiao?

His manager, Jim Strickland, thinks so.

“What we’re training for is if he (Pacquiao) hits us with a three-punch combination, we’re going to hit back with a four-punch combination.

“If he hits us hard, we’re going to hit him harder,” Strickland said in a Chicago Tribune article that followed Wednesday’s pep rally in Chicago for the June 28 fight.

Pacquiao, 29, is arguably the hardest puncher in the sport today, and he shoots for a fourth world title against Diaz, 31, a wide-bodied banger. Both are southpaws.

Strickland is looking at a slam-bang contest.

“That’s an in-your-face style of fighting, trying to hit as hard as they can. They can adapt a little, but first and foremost they’ll be trying to knock out the other guy,” he said.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, may agree with this, but not when Strickland said Diaz has more than what Pacquiao, a well-oiled machine gun, has.

“After our three-punch combination Diaz may be thrown on the floor. If he wants to exchange with us, I have a better puncher for sure,” Roach said through Viva Sports.

Roach was asked of weaknesses in Diaz’ part. He answered by saying, “If he gets hit, plain and simple. I mean anyone Manny Pacquiao can hit, I’m not afraid of.”

Pacquiao flew to Chicago Tuesday evening, after sparring three rounds with Steve Quinonez and two rounds with Gary McMillan, a pair of lefties, at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

Pacquiao did seven rounds of sparring against these two guys Thursday.

Roach said Pacquiao was to spar with Freddie Norwood, the former world featherweight champion who defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in 12 rounds in 1999.

But Norwood, 38, fought in North Carolina three days ago, and was knocked out by Johnnie Edwards. He went down in the third round and was out in the seventh of a scheduled eight-rounder.

Now, he might be scratched off the list.