Pacquiao, Ali world's greatest, says Diaz

Former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz arrived yesterday from the US to celebrate Manny Pacquiao’s 30th birthday in General Santos City today and declared the Filipino icon as close to matching Muhammad Ali’s stature as the world’s greatest fighter of all time.

“I think Ali’s the greatest fighter ever but Manny’s moving up,” said Diaz. “Right now, I can compare Manny with Ali as two of the greatest of all time. Just look at what Manny has done. He’s conquered the world with titles in five different weight divisions.”

Diaz was invited by Pacquiao to visit and will stay here until Dec. 22. He will leave for General Santos City on board a private PLDT plane this afternoon. Expected to join Diaz in the nine-seater are Smart Sports executive director and ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, newly crowned World Cup lightflyweight champion Harry Tañamor, unbeaten WBA superfeatherweight titleholder Edwin Valero of Venezuela, Los Angeles agent Jeff de Guzman and local coordinator Reli de Leon.

Valero, whose record is 24-0 with 24 KOs, was scheduled to arrive yesterday but missed his flight out of Los Angeles. He is due to plane in this morning.

Diaz, 32, hasn’t fought since he lost the WBC crown to Pacquiao on a ninth round knockout in Las Vegas last June. His record is 34-2-1, with 17 KOs. He turned pro in 1996 and won his first 26 bouts before bowing to Kendall Holt three years ago.

Diaz said he watched Pacquiao dispose of Oscar de La Hoya on pay-per-view in his Chicago home.

“I’m so happy for Manny,” said Diaz. “I think 90 percent of our household was for Manny. It was the first time I saw Manny so dominant with his skills. He showed tremendous speed. There wasn’t anything Oscar could do. Manny outclassed, outhustled and outboxed Oscar.”

Diaz said he did better against Pacquiao than De la Hoya.

“I went nine gruelling rounds with Manny and I lost to the best fighter in the world,” said Diaz. “I have nothing to be ashamed of. I gave it my all. Oscar didn’t do as much against Manny as I did and even the TV announcers mentioned it. I’m pretty proud of myself for standing up to Manny. Would I fight Oscar? Why not? But that’s up to my promoter.”

Diaz said he plans to return to the ring in March.

“I’ll start hard training in January,” he said. “I can’t wait to fight again. I’ll fight anyone out there. Hopefully, it’ll be a top 10 contender. I don’t choose my opponents. I could take on Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor or whoever my promoter lines up.”

As for Pacquiao, Diaz said he prefers Ricky Hatton to be the Filipino’s next opponent.

“Manny against Hatton would be a great match-up,” he said. “Hatton tried to box a little in his last fight against (Paul) Malignaggi but that won’t happen against Manny. Hatton will try to rush Manny. That’s how he fights. I see Manny catching him. After Manny takes care of Hatton, then he can go out in a blaze of glory against Floyd (Mayweather). That would be a huge climax for Manny.”

Diaz said Pacquiao will be in his most explosive form fighting as a lightwelterweight.

“I think Manny would be at his best weighing 140,” he said. “He weighed in at 142 for Oscar and came in at 148. So if he checks in at 140, that should be just about right. Manny is unbeatable at that weight.”