Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao VS David “Dangerous” Diaz: Prediction
Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao and David “Dangerous” Diaz will square off the Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
We all know who Manny Pacquiao is: the kid who went to from selling cigarettes on the streets of Manila to on of the most important sports figures in the world. G Manifesto Style. Rumor has it that even rebels in the mountains of the Philippines take a break and watch his fights.
Most people don’t know who David Diaz is. Well, he is a 1996 US Olympian (and he beat Zab “Super” Judah to make the team). He also has racked up a record of 34-1.
More importantly, Diaz defeated Tijuana Legend Erik Morales and sent him into retirement.
The big question is whether or not Pacquiao, who started his career as a kid at 106 lbs, can handle the move up in weight to lightweight (135 lbs, for those of you who don’t know what time it is). Most people think the move up in weight won’t matter and Pacquiao is going to blast out Diaz.
As much as I appreciate Pacquiao’s power, speed and chin, I don’t think he is going to steamroll Diaz. In fact, I think Diaz has more than a puncher’s chance of an upset.
Diaz is tough, has a ton of heart and likes to mix it up. I also have a feeling that Pacquiao is looking past Diaz.
Still, I can’t see Pacquiao losing a decision these days. And I have a feeling he is going to win by a decent margin in a fight that should hold us over until Miguel Cotto VS Antonio Margarito.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley VS Zab “Super” Judah Cancelled
Former world champion Zab “Super” Judah injured his arm in a fall and his May 31 bout against “Sugar” Shane Mosley has been cancelled, Golden Boy Promotions announced Thursday.
The pay-per-view fight between the ex-champs had been set for Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, with both hoping a victory could set up another world title chance against unbeaten welterweight champions Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto.
Too bad too, because there was a good War of Words going on:
“Zab Judah will be the first victim to go down,” replied Shane with his trademark smile. “After that we will start cutting into the Cotto’s and the Mayweather’s. Anyone they stand in front of Shane Mosley. Because I feel I am the best welterweight out there.”
“Afterwards, in my fight with Cotto,” continued Mosley, “Cotto was running around the ring, trying to finish the fight. Then when he went into the press conference, said a few words and then went away. Probably to the hospital. That’s the difference between [our fights with Cotto].”
“He had a Puerto Rican party to get to!,” said Zab as the crowd erupted in laughter. “That’s what happened. He did not go to the hospital. He went to a private party. I’ll tell you the difference. After my fight with Cotto, he went to the hospital. We got the… we got the… (turning to his father) what do you call them? The medical records. He went straight to the hospital.”
“I promise ya’ll he won’t fight no more. His family won’t let him. Watch. Before his next fight they’ll be saying ‘don’t fight that man, daddy. Don’t mess with that man, daddy. Please, daddy.’”
“You’re problem isn’t getting hit in the head. Your problem is Sugar Shane Mosley. That’s your problem.”
“We going to see,” said Zab. “May 31, we going to see. We know where you’re from. I’m a BrookNam veteran. We are going to see. I know about the West coast, baby. East or West, I’m going to kill this man.”
“It matters where that chin is from,” Shane came back.
“Nothing suspect about me, homey. It’s do or die for me. I survive. May 31 bring you’re a game. From start to finish, it’s going to be crackin’.”
Oscar De La Hoya (38-5, 30 KOs) Los Angeles, CA will meet Steve Forbes (33-5, 9 KOs), fighting out of Las Vegas by way of Portland, OR Saturday, May 3 at the first-ever boxing event The Home Depot Center. This is De La Hoya’s first fight lin Los Angeles since 2000. Hence the “Homecoming” tag line.
De La Hoya, boxing’s biggest non-heavyweight attraction and moneymaker at the gate, is coming off a convincing loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in May 2007. Oscar has beaten current or former world champions Jesse James Leija, Genaro Hernandez, Rafael Ruelas, John John Molina, Jorge Paez, Javier Francisco Castillejo, Yory Boy Campas, Felix Sturm, Fernando Vargas, Pernell Whitaker (highly disputed), Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, Ike Quartey (highly disputed), Julio Cesar Chavez twice, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Jimmi Bredahl and Troy Dorsey. The Golden Boy will have Floyd Mayweather Sr. back in his corner.
Forbes is coming off a split-decision victory over highly regarded Francisco “Panchito” Bojado last October. Forbes, a former super featherweight champ, is best known as a finalist on “The Contender”. Forbes, who has worked with Roger Mayweather in the past, has another Mayweather in his corner, brother Jeff Mayweather (who interestingly enough, De La Hoya defeated early in his career).
This fight is a tune-up for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Forbes, with Roger Mayweather in his corner, will have the blueprint to beat De La Hoya, it will be up to him to execute it. Forbes is a slick boxer with a good chin, but is the smaller man when they step into the ring.
Look to see The Golden Boy try to get some rounds in and get in a good boxing session. The second half of the fight should be all De La Hoya with a stoppage highly probable.
Forbes will become the latest example of “Contender” fodder for more established world class fighters.
