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05/21/2008 Archived Entry: "Diaz & Pacquiao Thrill Crowds with Appearances at Lalo’s and Federal Plaza!"
Diaz & Pacquiao Thrill Crowds with Appearances at Lalo’s and Federal Plaza!
Photos and report by Juan C. Ayllon
News Editor & Staff Writer
Manny Pacquiao (left) and David Diaz pose for the media crowd at Lalo's Restaurant
CHICAGO—They call it “Lethal Combination”—the meeting of two similar, attacking styles. They’re both southpaws. They both like to mix it up. And they’re relentless.
Something’s got to give.
On June 28th, Chicago-born World Boxing Council Lightweight Champion David Diaz defends his title against Philippines superstar Manny Pacquiao, a fighter who currently is in the running for boxing’s mythical pound-for-pound title, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. HBO will broadcast their bout on Pay Per View TV.
Boxing promoter extraordinaire Bob Arum, who’s regularly done battle against rival promoter Don King in vying for the dominant promoter honors since the days of Ali, says of Pacquiao, “He is the most famous athlete EVER in the Philippines. It’s almost as if you had in Manny a combination…of Muhammad Ali, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordan—a man who transcends the sport of boxing.”
Pardon the hyperbole, but Pacquiao has beaten a Latin “Who’s Who” list of greats, including superstars Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez in compiling a record of 46-3 with 35 knockouts. In the process, he’s won a slew of titles, some solid, and others spurious, as follows: The International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight title, the World Boxing Council Flyweight title, the WBC International Super Featherweight title, the vacant WBC International Super Featherweight title and the OPBF Flyweight title.
And, in his spare time, he’s also ran for—and lost—in a bid for the office of President in the Philippines.
As for Diaz, he’s compiled a record of 34-1-1 and 17 knockouts, won the International disposable Boxing Association Lightweight title and then the World Boxing Council Lightweight Interim title with a come from behind 10th round knockout of Jose Armando Santa Cruz at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas in August 2006. When the regular WBC Lightweight champ, Joel Casamayor, refused to give Diaz his mandatory shot at his title, the WBC stripped Casamayor and gave that prestigious belt to Diaz.
Then, in August 2007, Diaz took some lumps in winning a close, unanimous decision victory over Erik Morales. Although some people disputed the win, Morales suffered so great a beating that he had to be helped down the aisle en route to his dressing room after the bout and announced his retirement afterwards.
Morales is their common opponent. Pacquiao lost to Morales by unanimous decision in their first bout in March 2005, but rebounded to stop him in 10 rounds in January 2006 and knock him out in three in November 2006.
But I digress.
Spotting Pacquiao at the press conference held at Lalo’s Restaurant in downtown Chicago, Diaz’s manager and head trainer, Jim Strickland, said, “He looks taller than he did at the other press conferences.”
Taller may not be the word. Although Pacquiao indeed looks a good inch or two taller than the 5’ 6” Diaz, supreme, but understated confidence may be the better descriptor.
This is in keeping with conventional wisdom that favors Pacquiao, as reflected in the betting odds. Sports-odds.com projects the odds at –600 for Pacquiao and +400 for Diaz. However, don’t say that to Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddy Roach, who bristles at the notion that this will be an easy fight.
Freddy Roach (left) and Manny Pacquiao
“It’s a real tough fight ahead…David Diaz has been an Olympian, a world champion—those things don’t happen by accident. And we know he’s a great fighter,” says Roach. “[Still,] Pacquiao’s in great shape for this one. We’ve made some adjustments for the southpaw style. Good luck, David, you might need it.”
Standing, Pacquiao addresses the crowd
“It’s going to be a great fight,” says Pacquiao sandwiched between a plethora of thanks to everyone from his promoter, the Philippinos, and Jesus. “He will do his best, and I’ll do my best, and our styles are similar: He wants to come in and come in and keep on punching. Me, too. And it’ll be a great fight, so don’t miss it.”
After giving thanks to Bob Arum and God, Diaz makes no bones about what looms little than a month away.
Diaz speaks up
“June 28th—it’s going to be an all-out war between Manny and myself,” he says. “Manny’s a straight forward fighter, as I am, and we’re both going to go at it. We’re going to have a great fight. I’m going to win and we’re going to bring back the [championship] belt to Chicago. Hopefully, the Philippino people can forgive me for that!”
Internet writer Chris Guzman (left) shows off his painting of Pacquiao to Manny and a fan dressed up as Pacquiao's nickname, Pacman
Pacquiao is amused
Following photo ops and interviews, the party adjourned to the Federal Plaza at Adams and Dearborn. There, hundreds of people assembled in an enthusiastic, but peaceful throng. No doubt, some came out of curiosity, but others clearly came to meet their heroes, approaching the stage armed with cameras, pens, posters, boxing gloves, and items of clothing to sign.
Diaz (in white Cubs jersey) bends forward to sign an autograph
Pacquiao (center) addresses the crowd
There was no doubt whose hometown this was, as people cheered Diaz and, when Pacquiao was introduced by Arum, there were some notable boos. This prompted Arum to say, “In boxing, we cheer everybody.”
Pacquiao is going down, indicates Diaz
Sure, Bob.
Pacquiao (far right) grants autographs to his fans
Nevertheless, Pacquiao had his supporters, as witnessed by the throngs swarming his side of the stage and the hundred yard long line of photo and autograph seekers.
This is my time, Diaz seems to say
Bottom line, Pacquiao and Diaz were a hit in Chicago. And, if that’s any indicator of what lies ahead in their upcoming bout, it’s a definite must buy on HBO.
