By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PROMOTER Don King’s vice president for operations Bod Goodman, who is in Manila for the 45th Annual World Boxing Council Convention, said Manny Pacquiao fighting WBA/WBO/IBF lightweight champion Juan Diaz is a possibility.
“There’s been some talk about a fight between lightweight champion Diaz and Pacquiao and we are here in the Philippines. We can sit down and talk,” said King’s top associate.
“Let’s see what the offer is first and then I’ll have to go back with an offer to my boxer,” said Goodman, who was at the forefront of the promotions and public relations of King in the famous “Thrilla in Manila” on Oct. 1, 1975.
Both Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach have mentioned Diaz, the current World Boxing Association/International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization lightweight champion as among possible opponents for his next fight scheduled sometime in March.
“There is nothing firm yet, we are at the discussion stage,” said Goodman. When we inquired whether it was an interesting discussion, Goodman replied “very interesting discussion. It’s an interesting fight, it’s one of the best fights you can imagine. So why not discuss it?”
The close associate of King said he thinks it’s a dangerous fight both for Pacquiao and Diaz, saying: “Manny Pacquiao is very unconventional, he’s awkward, he can punch, he’s strong. Yes, it’s a dangerous fight for both fighters.”
Goodman said that if the Pacquiao-Diaz fight pushes through, “it should be a great one. Should be one for the times.”
WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman told Viva Sports/Standard Today that Pacquiao should fight for a championship, adding that the WBC is open in the super featherweight (Juan Manuel Marquez) or lightweight (David Diaz).
