By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was scheduled to breeze into Las Vegas at the head of a long convoy at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, determined to write his name in the record books as the first Filipino and Asian fighter to win world titles at four different weight divisions.

Pacquiao and his convoy of some 14 vehicles was scheduled to arrive some thirty minutes after WBC light weight champion David Diaz who was certain to arrive in  modest fashion and to a less enthusiastic welcome because his style is low-key.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, trying his best to draw the fans in the face of a floundering US economy and skyrocketing gasoline prices predicted the Pacquiao-Diaz “Lethal Combination” showdown would be a great fight.

Arum said “what is at stake is more than just a boxing match. You have Manny Pacquiao fighting for a fourth world title at a different weight class and David Diaz defending his title for his beloved city of Chicago.”

Pacquiao himself reiterated it would be a great fight and said “I will do my best to win the fight. I will let everyone know who the best is on June 28th , June 29th in Manila where the fight will be telecast by Solar Sports over GMA 7 and several pay-per-view platforms.

Diaz said he had “trained very hard for this fight” adding “I am a good fighter and a champion. He (Pacquiao) is a strong and aggressive fighter. However, I am up for the challenge.”

Diaz earlier told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today his best chance of winning would be if the fight goes the distance while Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach predicts Pacquiao will wear down Diaz and then take him out in the later rounds.