By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former WBC world lightweight champion David Diaz (34-2-1) who lost his title in a 9th round demolition at the hands of Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has predicted that Pacquiao will beat Miguel Cotto when they clash in the “Fire Power” main event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 14.
Diaz spoke to reporter Joseph Lariosa in Chicago after a press conference to promote the “Warriors Collide” fight card in which Diaz clashes with two-time world champion Jesus Chavez (44-5) at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago on September 26.
According to Lariosa, Diaz had nothing but praise for Pacquiao. He said “Manny is beating the best of the best. He is doing unbelievable things. He is awesome. My hats off to him. A great fighter. A great person.”
However, Diaz cautioned Pacquiao, the world’s pound-for-pound king to be careful against Cotto who, he said, is very patient although he was confident that in the end “Manny will outbox him and beat him in the later rounds, adding there is not going to be a knockout.
The likeable Diaz declined to make any predictions about his fight against Chavez who is also from Chicago while Chavez merely said “I loved David as my friend since we came up together in the amateurs in Chicago. But when we enter the ring its strictly business.”
The Diaz-Chavez showdown is considered one of the most intriguing fights in the Windy City.
Diaz recalled his very enjoyable visit to the Philippines for Pacquiao’s 30th birthday bash last December and said if he ever returns to the Philippines for a vacation he will bring his family along.
