1) David Diaz is natural light welterweight fighter. Only 2 of his 36 bouts were below 135 lbs. and another 2 in the tip of 135 lbs. All the rest of his remaining 32 fights averaged 139.5 lbs. http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hu ... &cat=boxer 2) Contrary to boxrec's data that D. Diaz is 5'6" height he is actually 5'7" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0_Adhe5 ... re=related 3) D.Diaz enjoys 69" reach advantage against Manny's 67" reach. He performs pretty well among lefties. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zrOLzq_SM&feature=related Manny need to be tested in this division, a rubber match with J.A. Santa Cruz or Zahir Raheem could be best for Manny.
I myself have reservations on Pacquaio going up to 135 . . . but after repeated stories confirmed that indeed he was having problem going down to 130 during weigh ins . . . I guess he has no ckoice. And just to answer your point . . . #1 is given because indeed David is a legit 135. #2 . . . even if David is 5'7" . . . that's not a problem, Pacquaio is used to fighting taller opponents so one inch height advantage is not gonna be a factor. #3 . . . David Diaz has the reach advatage but he doesn't use it. He doesn't box from the outside. He fights close. . . . the big factor is . . . the ability of Diaz to back Pacqauio up and exert pressure and Pac's power at 135. :yep
EM is a totally different story. He came from a 3 consecutive lossed in facing DD, its more of "self-redemption". In the case of Manny he is the SF champion. I dont know whats in the mind of Bob A in putting Manny in this highly risk (not the belt but health wise) fight.
It's not only EM dude . . . Marquez is 5'7"; Jorge Solis 5'8" 1/2; Oscar Larios is 5'7" and Hector Velasquez is 5'7".
Bro Psycho: The tallest fighter with highest reach advantage that Manny fought was against Jorge Solis. From 1 to 3 round Manny found himself in a guessing game and not even a body shot can easily land on Solis.
That's true Bro . . . because of reason: Pacquaio is acting up on the early rounds to carry the fight longer because he is carrying a load of ads for the fight. Ending it prematurely will make him lose his sponsors. And besides . . . Diaz will never box like Solis . . . Diaz will come in and fight his ussual game plan . . . that's the difference.
David is perfect for pac. Santa Cruz would be more competitive vs pac. Raheem-Pac = replay of EM-Raheem. Go figure
Manny is PPV fighter now Cruz and Raheem just do not cut the mustard to sell these type of fights and D.Diaz has a the WBC title and will bring at least 250 000 type of numbers
I think Pacquiao would beat him. Diaz lacks experience against top level. His best wins are against a shot lightweight Morales and Armando Santa Cruz.
I'm pretty sure Diaz' height and reach will barely be a factor because of his style. What i wonder about more is how much of Pac's speed&power he will be able to take up to 135. If he really loses a lot in those departments, he could be in real danger because those things are his biggest advantages against Diaz and against lightweights in general. I still consider him a heavy favourite in this one though. Morales, who was way past it and had just been stopped twice by Pac beat Diaz too IMO plus he knocked him down.