David Diaz arrived at Mandalay Bay at approximately 11:00 a.m. today followed shortly thereafter by Manny Pacquiao.

David Diaz:

On why Diaz is an underdog as a champion?

“ That’s their own opinion and I have my own opinion of myself and that’s all that matters.  I pay no mind to what other people say and they are going to say what they want.”

“This fight means a lot to me.  It means I will be able to put my kids through college and they will be all right.  I was the youngest of nine children and that was something that my dad was unable to do for me.  And if I win this fight?  That will put me in a whole new tax bracket.”

“I am a Chicago guy through and through and I like all the teams, not only the Cubs.  I grew up two blocks away from Wrigley so they are definitely my baseball team.”

“In ’97 I left the sport for two years.  I was going to the gym but not really working so I decided to hang them up.  When I met my girlfriend, who is now my wife, she could tell that I was missing it a little bit.  She said I should go back to the gym.  When I went back I started working for three hours at a time, so I came back.  I didn’t want to be 50 years old and think ‘what if?’

“If this fight has to go one round, I will go one round.  If it has to go 12-rounds, I will go 12-rounds.  This has been my best camp and I feel great.  And I know Manny’s going to be at his best also.  He’s got his nation on his shoulders and history in front of him.  I don’t make any excuses and I know he doesn’t either.  This is going to be an old-fashioned fight. 

“This is my chance to knock down the wall.  Manny is the wall and I’ve got to go knock it down.”

Manny Pacquiao:

“I liked the goat.  Goat is my favorite food.”

“I didn’t stop training after the last fight and there has been no problem.  I am a fighter, so it is OK to come back in three months and fight again.  I recovered after my last fight in two weeks and I was ready to go again.”

“I am very comfortable at 135.  The power is no concern - I feel stronger at 135.  What we have been working on is to maintain my speed.  Because of moving up there is a chance to get slower, but fighting bigger guys is definitely not a problem for me.”

“I am looking forward to fighting David Diaz.  He has the same style as me…move in and fight.  It’s going to be a good fight.”