By Hermie Rivera
(Photos by Levi Gutierrez)

June 28 is when the Philippines boxing phenom Manny Pacquiao authors an ambitious bid for a fourth title when he takes on David Diaz for the lightweight championship of the world.

The Mandalay Bay resort/casino in Las Vegas is is where the Filipino idol accosts the Mexican-American champ in a slugfest boxing purists are betting won't go the assigned distance of twelve rounds.

A match-up of game finishers ends early or stopped in the late rounds.

Now, Manny who's on leave as a junior lightweight boss is looking at a November meeting with the Manchester cyclone Ricky Hatton while David wants the plan for himself (Atlanta Olympic silver medalist) and previous wins as a pro in the 140 pound class.

The privilege of competing with the new pound for pound king is where Diaz is looking at right now.

Unaccustomed to fighting in the 135 pound limit, the Pinoy hotshot is assuring doubting devotees that he is not straying out of his comfort zone in facing the combat-ready Diaz.

Diaz beats Pacquiao and sky's the limit. Fact is he's obsessed. And David's fixation in retaining his WBC belt is legend. If he had his druthers, Chicago's pride wants Manny's scalp in his ref pronto.

What makes this fight appealing is the bonanza the winner pockets.

So much is at stake with both warriors pledging a furious start that could only translate into a violent ring battle in sustained velocity.

This happens when a crowd-pleasing puncher like Manny is matched with a proven belter in David.

"I'm ready in case he tries to pull a fast one in our Mandalay party. I can't let my fans down who are rooting for a smooth acquisition of Diaz' belt," Pacquiao assured.

Pacquiao is done with his sparring and will break camp for Vegas after Monday's presser at the Sta.Monica piers.

A marked improvement in ticket sales and PPV orders have been noted by the promoters as the lightweight toasts starts easing-off from their back-breaking grind.

Now what?

Somewhere in the boardrooms of the world's leading promoters are stacks of proposal for a year-ending 'biggie' featuring England's Ricky Hatton and the Philippines' Manny Pacquiao.

Keep tuned.