By Hermie Rivera
Photos by Noel Rivera

Berkeley, CA– Manny Pacquiao, coming off a hard-earned win over Juan Manuel Marquez clashes with a heavier David Diaz in a face-off that’s certain to generate absolute thrill among fight fans.

The lightweight scrap at Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Casino is Pacquiao’s ticket for a fourth world title—one he hankers due to the failure of his compatriots in garnering such masterstroke.

When the celebrated Carlos Ortiz ended the blue-ribbon reign of Joe Brown—no Filipino—to include the clever Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde succeeded in becoming a 135 pound ace.

Odds favor the Pinoy challenger over the Mex-Am titleholder. Not unlike the time Pacquiao succeeded in grabbing Marquez’s junior lightweight belt in a war that continues to torment followers of both camps claiming victory for their man.

No one is saying it loud but there are bettors who believe David Diaz can scratch out a win over the Philippines’ idol.

And why not if one is tempted to ask? David was only beaten once enroute to his lightweight throne. He foiled challenges with his unquestioned ability topped by a go-for-broke style of brash boxing.

Listening to David’s rants on how he’ll keep his crown, there just is’nt a way or so it seems for Manny to wiggle out from a trap Diaz is set to impose in their June 28th showdown.

Freddie Roach, Pacman’s coach warns David though that he is the one mired in a situation that entails difficulty—neutralizing Pacquiao’s lethal combination of speed and power..

Manny’s threat of a fast start that can end the brawl early is a reality that’s not easy for David to master.

Pacquiao repeated his intimidating plan even as Roach paraded him in a well-attended public workout at Berkeley’s Westwind School, showcasing Manny’s rythmic cadence with the mitts and the bags.

“David Diaz is in for a rough evening in this meeting of vaunted sluggers and my Manny will send him to dreamland only to awaken when gas prices goes down” adding “the end will come in the late rounds.” Roach concluded.

What started off as a pairing of hard-punching lefties is shaping up as one heck of a donnybrook involving worldbeaters with violent fistic traits.

And when Pacman’s roll of the dice finally shows crap for Diaz, England’s Ricky Hatton must gear up fast for a huge payday with arguably the planet’s hottest draw—Manny Pacquiao of General Santos, Cotabato.