Pacman lines up foes for 2008

November 22, 2007  --  Got something to say?
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Manny Pacquiao
MANILA Manny Pacquiaos resounding decision win over Marco Antonio Barrera on October 6 firmed up his reputation as the hottest super featherweight (130 pounds) in pro boxing.

While he has been without a legitimate world title since 2003, Pacquiaos popularity continues to soar. He is among the small elite who can command megabuck purses even without a world title at stake.

Pacquiaos definitely the most exciting fighter in the world,” admits boxer and promoter Oscar de la Hoya.
At 28, Pacquiao is at the peak of his career. He revealed plans to fight four times in 2008, starting in March. His fistic itinerary includes a possible move up to the lightweight division (135 pounds) for a possible showdown with WBC champion David Diaz or WBA/WBO/IBF titlist Juan Baby Bull Diaz.

Pacquiao made the 130-pound super featherweight limit for the Barrera fight. But in the fight proper, the Filipino tipped the scale in the vicinity of 144 pounds. Pacquiao actually fought Barrera within the 147-pound limit of the welterweight division.

Weve been talking about it [moving up to the lightweight division], said Roach. I think he definitely can fight at 135. Its getting a little harder to get down to 130, and I think hes ready to step up.”

Pacquiao, however, still has unfinished business in the super featherweight (or junior lightweight) class. At least two 130 pounders have stepped up to challenge the Filipino, WBC champion Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico and WBA counterpart Edwin Valero of Venezuela. Both go by the moniker Dinamita.

American Bob Arum, Pacquiaos promoter, admitted that people want to see Pacquiao against Marquez.”
WBC President Jose Sulaiman feels the same way. The WBC head honcho has in fact directed Marquez to defend his WBC tiara against Pacquiao not later than March 1, 2008.

The 34-year-old Marquez totes a record of 47-3, with 35 knockouts. The Mexican is a skilled counterpuncher who has never been stopped in a career that started with a disqualification loss in 1993. Marquez fought Pacquiao to a thrilling draw in May 2004.

Marquez has recently been claiming that he is the only one who knows the secret to beating Pacquiao.”
Pacquiao and Marquez, however, remain at loggerheads on who between them deserves a bigger paycheck.
A Pacquiao-Marquez II will make for a very intriguing match up. Some think the Mexican should have won the first fight despite getting floored three times in the first round. But most Pacquiao will have the edge in the rematch because the Filipino has improved greatly since 2004. In stark contrast, Marquezs performances have been less than brilliant lately.
Pacquiao seems to be leaning toward first facing Valero, the knockout artist who packs a resume of 22-0, 22 by knockout (19 in the first round).

Valero, now based in Japan, believes he has the firepower to tame PacMan. Experts arent convinced, frowning at the quality of Valeros victims.

Valero is scheduled to defend his WBA crown on December 15 against 22-year-old Mexican Juan Carlos Salgado. Salgado is unbeaten in 18 fights but is also relatively untested. Salgado was picked from a list that included Jorge Coloradito Solis, the same Mexican whom Pacquiao knocked out in April.

Valero and Marquez will have to emerge victorious in their upcoming defenses to stay in the Pacquiao sweepstakes.
In the lightweight class, David and Juan Diaz (no relation) are just waiting for Pacquiao to knock on their door.
Chicagoan David Diaz raised his record to 33-1-1, with 17 knockouts with a hard-earned decision win over Erik El Terrible Morales in August. A former US Olympian, Diaz is a limited but hardnosed brawler. The WBC champs power is suspect but he is known to wear down foes by simply outworking them. This Diazs defense has been called leaky (he was floored by Morales) and his eyes have a tendency to swell easily. Diaz earned $350,000 against Morales and is clearly hungry for the big money.

The champs trainer Jim Strickland acknowledged their wish for Pacquiao to be the one that would pay that.
Juan Diaz, 24, unified the WBA/IBF/WBO lightweight titles on October 13 with a technical knockout win over Julio Diaz. The win raised Diazs record to 33-0 with 17 knockouts. Diaz became a world champ at age 20 and is known as Baby Bull for his penchant to gore his foes with nonstop punching. A fight with Pacquiao promises to be a wild shootout.
I think I am ready for Pacquiao, said Diaz. That is the dream fight for me.”

There are apprehensions that moving up to a heavier class might diminish Pacquiaos speed and power, but he is still the favorite to prevail over David or Juan Diaz.

Ill be happy whoever I fight,” Pacquiao said. I dont want to compare my talent. I just think Im an ordinary fighter, that I can fight a good fighter or the best fighter. I dont think Im the best.”


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Articles/Stories 

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