David Diaz's Weak Points

When the head of Top Rank Promotion, Bob Arum, made a press statement that the "Lethal Combination" bout would be a great fight in the lightweight, and Pacquioa must take his part because David Diaz is a tough fighter that he cannot knock David out in the ring. This statement many (mostly boxing fans) considered as a plain business marketing strategy of Arum to sell-out the bout and secure hugh bucks from it.

Many boxing fans in the Philippines knew nothing about Diaz, if not from a tune-up fight against journeyman Ramon Montano on the "Unfinished Business" bout of Pacquiao last March 15, many would go to the media sources like the archive news, to the uploaded videos like the website youtube, for information and reference who the hell David Diaz is.

Simply speaking David Diaz is the current World Boxing Organization (WBC) lightweight champion.

Well, base on the style of boxing Diaz fought with Montano many fans keep thinking that Diaz is not comparable to Pacquiao's caliber. He is a slugger boxer, stay in front to his opponent, throw and absorbing punches. A style suited to the whirlwind combination style of Pacquiao.

Here are my simple analysis why fans thinking Diaz as an easy prey for Pacquiao:

1. His style

2. His defense

3. His chin

4. His wide body

5. His aggression

Diaz's style of boxing is the exact feeding style to Pacquiao's style. Expect it would be a nice explosion inside the ring, those who has the greater power prevails. Diaz same as Pacquiao keeps forward, wildly throwing punches, and the same style absorbing opponents punches.

Diaz has a weak defense, his hand is widely open. This point is the biggest chance of Pacquiao to connect his lethal straight left jabs.

I hate to say this, but Diaz has a weak chin. At his major fights he wobble every time this point hit tremendously. Pacquiao is known for his jaw breaking punch; I guess Diaz would not last longer when Pacquiao able to hit this area several times.

The body of David Diaz is naturally big and wide, has the big box in the upper body, which is easy and vulnerable to the body shots of Pacquiao. I foresee Diaz's body is going to be a punching bag for Pacquiao inside the ring.

Boxing fans around the world knew that Manny Pacquiao is a very aggressive fighter, and never say die attitude in the ring. If this two boxers collides, who are both aggressive, Pacquaio has the advantage. As stated above, Diaz has a weak defense and weak jaw, if Diaz clash into a head-to-head exchange of jabs, he is in great trouble. Pacquiao is known and branded to his compact chin, speed, and power.

This would be a classic fight, worthy to talk about.

Next issue: "Manny Pacquiao's Late Training Issue"

The Dilemma of "Dangerous" David Diaz

According to the report of the very popular Philboxing.com, the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz said he will "shock the world on June 28" when he faces boxing idol and Filipino national treasure Manny Pacquiao in their "Lethal Combination" showdown in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This is a very wild imagination from David Diaz, in the eyes of so many Manny Pacquiao fans. Many boxing enthusiast, purist and sports' fan somehow has a result already playing in their minds of what would be the outcome of June 28 "Lethal Combination" promotion of Top Rank. In the equally popular mannypacquiao.ph in their online survey almost 90 percent voted for Pacquiao. As of May 15, 2008, 45.7 percent by KO in late rounds, 29.1 percent for early rounds KO, and 13.1 percent of the voters decide for decision, and a very rare stray votes for draw. The remaining percentage is for Diaz distributed to the same categories. Not surprising because the website has been created to support the campaign of Manny Pacquiao in his quest for world boxing supremacy and bringing honors to the Philippines.

The criticism that surrounds to Diaz today are the same criticism that revolves when he's going to defend his belt against the highly favorite Erik Morales back on March 8, 2007. But surprisingly, he shut them up when he won via unanimous decision.

What is the problem with David, almost nothing would come to believe that he can win against Pacquiao. He is the a champion, yet seems no one recognized it. It's likely that Diaz is just too lucky to have the title that give him the opportunity to face Pacquiao, and Morales previously. In other way he is just a mere boxer.

The problem of David Daiz is his style of boxing it is not the style the fans loved to see.

His style of boxing is the clever slugger style. Same as Pacquiao he is a southpaw. He is a clever slugger southpaw. His movement inside the ring is limited, he just stand in front of his opponent, and wildly throwing punches. Though, he also aggressive in one way or another, but he's not a kind of boxer the world loved to see. His resume by far is not impressive as his upcoming opponent Manny Pacquiao, as his biggest wins speak for it.

The June 28, 2008, is the biggest day for Diaz so far. For Pacquiao it is just his testing day to the milk and honey in the lightweight division. Pacquiao the reigning WBC Super Featherweight champion reportedly got problem making weight in this division.

There is a disparity into these two boxers' point of view on this "Lethal Combination" bout at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. For David Diaz this not only the biggest and important day in his boxing career, but a judgment day that he is not the weakest link in lightweight division. For Pacquiao the title held by Diaz would certainly cemented his boxing legacy, though, he solidified it already the moment he massacred the Mexican legends, and captured the WBC Super Featherweight belt last March 15.

Next issue: "David Diaz's Weak Points"

Pacquiao On Late Rounds: Points By Points

In this issue let us set aside Diaz matter, let’s focus on the eagerness of Pac fans on how Pacquiao going to win or stop Diaz in the bout called “Lethal Combination” of Top Rank Promotion in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, on June 28, 2008.

On my last issue, I bet Pacquiao on the late rounds most probably within 9^th-11^th round destructions of Diaz. As I published previously, I foresee another first Pacquiao-Barrera alike demolition of Diaz in the late rounds.

Here are Pacquiao's advantage points:

1. The speed is the biggest factor for Pacquiao, he must capitalize this advantage.

2. Power. That’s the most exciting point of Pacquiao the word loved to see. He proved this area so many times, and the most deadly weapon of Pacquiao in his arsenal.

3. Manny is well known for his very firm chin. I didn’t see Diaz's chance on this point.

4. The muscle covering the abdomen area of Pacquiao is also a great factor. Diaz has a slim opportunity on this spot. Pacquiao is branded on this point.

5. The aggressiveness of Pacquiao, which is known in the whole world. I find so many boring fighters today, but with Pacquiao inside the ring, if can force myself not to blink in his fights I did it, you cannot afford to miss a single blast.

I forbid myself to do further analysis on Pacquiao's advantage points. Only those five above are short listed in my portfolio.

Why speed above on my list? Diaz is a polished slugger. Who do you think win, when a slugger and quick puncher explode inside the four cornered stage? Plus power on the side of quick one, it is definitely a no match. That's the reason I put “speed” first in my list because this is a great advantage.

And for the chin of Pacquiao. Many times that this area is in dangered, but Pacquiao, indeed, has a very compact jaw. I didn’t even see him wobbled seriously when he suffered a tremendous jab from any opponent, even from his lost to the legend Eric Morales, and his two illegitimate defeats to Torrecampo and Singsurat. He was just knocked down then just because of too much drained.

The muscle covering the belly of Pacquiao, every time I see it during his fights, I can’t imagine how he manage it to looks like a marvelous hardened igneous rock.

Lastly, the aggressiveness of Pacquiao certainly complements his winning chance without this all those four listed above are nothing but useless. I mean even one point is out on the list or the number two supersedes the number one spot, Pacquioa probably will be in trouble winning the fight.

Next issue: “The Dilemma of “Dangerous” David Diaz “

My Prediction on Lethal Combination

I first see this rugged man back on February 27, 1999, when he fought at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida against a very tough and previously undefeated, Adam Leibowitz (11-2-7) of Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he won via sixth round TKO. He is confident inside the ring, quiet and focused. I am referring here no other than “Dangerous” David Diaz (36-1-17). His record is not really an impressive figures compared to his upcoming opponent, the well-known and boxing superstar, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao (46-35-3-2). But the “Dangerous” David boxing skills sharpen through his excellent amateur career.

Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao indeed a boxing idol, household name, and a popular elite boxer. Named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine. Pacquiao is an icon in boxing, has superb power and skills, known for his destroying punch, determined, and a heart of a lion. He is the Philippines national treasure, most popular even popular than the President. The four weights division champion, and the only boxer in history that captured world champion in 112 pounds and 130 pounds respectively.

June 28, 2008, is a must date it is the "Lethal Combination" day. Who do you think this title 'lethal combination' dedicated to? Certainly, majority would come to think that's for Pacquiao. But don’t take “Dangerous” David for granted, he also has two hands PacMan had and used to. And take note, his been preparing this fight ten weeks in the training camp. While PacMan seems keeping his part lightly. Moreover, though, Pacquiao has exceptional skills, but Diaz is naturally had the bigger box. Diaz is naturally junior welterweight boxer, expected he has the heavier and big fist.

The decision of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to use 8-oz boxing gloves instead of 10-oz for the lightweights is not benefited Pacquiao. Look at the scenario, a junior welterweight boxer use 8-oz gloves, what a big impact to his punches then. Yes, Pacquiao has the fist of fury and nice combinations like a whirlwind coming from the Pacific, but take a deep breath “Dangerous” David withstood the same combinations of Eric Morales. Again, comparing the caliber of punches of Morales to Pacquiao is bad analogy. My apology, but I defend to death this universal right of self expression.

Without further ado, no matter what David Diaz has the advantage, I still bet that the “Lethal Combination” is coming from PacMan. In what ever sides of the story, David Diaz is an underdog again to this fight. PacMan is clearly above in the skills, i.e., speed, power, stamina, and aggressiveness. The only skills that I put to Diaz are his ring personality, cleverness and perseverance. Though, Diaz is been fighting in a cool way, head user, and determined during fights, but still has slim chance to beat Pacman's caliber.

When the whirlwind combinations of PacMan connect to Diaz, who I think vulnerable to the ferocious attacks of PacMan, is the end of his title: WBC Lightweight Champion. The chance of Diaz is fervently tied up to his string of lucks he gained against Santa Cruz and Morales, which are to fight in a distance and look for a nice opening. Another is to do the counter attack game plan, same as Juan Manuel Marquez, is another option. We all know that Marquez had imprinted that blueprint of strategy on beating Pacquiao. But I guess changing boxing style is not the same as changing clothes overnight. It’s a very hard assignment. Counter punching is the style of Marquez, while for Diaz is a clever slugger - a style suited to the lethal combination attacks style of PacMan.

I foresee another first Pacquiao-Barrera alike destruction of Diaz. It would be another late round demolitions by Pacquiao after severe punishment in the early rounds. Perhaps within 9^th-11^th round stoppage.

Again, June 28, 2008, is a must date.

Next issue: “Pacquiao On Late Rounds: Points by Points”