By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa predicts that Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao will win by a knockout over WBC lightweight champion Dabid Diaz in their “Lethal Combination” title fight at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on June 28.
Penalosa made the prediction as he watched Pacquiao work out at his (Penalosa’s) new boxing gym at the Market Mall in Mandaluyong City hours before Pacquiao left for the US aboard a Philippine Airlines flight Monday night along with trainers Restituto "Buboy" Fernandez and Nonoy Neri in time for a for a formal press conference alongside Diaz in Los Angeles, Tuesday.
The veteran world champion conceded that Diaz was "courageous, but that is all." He said the speed and power of Pacquiao as well as the style of Diaz which was tailor-made for the Filipino southpaw would weigh heavily in Pacquiao’s favor.
Penalosa said the early rounds would be close and exciting but after four or five rounds even though Diaz trains hard and has stamina the “power of Manny will be a big factor” and along with his speed would turn the tide.
Penalosa noted that Erik “El Terrible” Morales was able to drop Diaz “even though his power is not even fifty percent of Manny’s. When Manny connects it will be all over.” Penalosa also said that Diaz was not that quick and “once Manny connects with his right hook it will be goodbye.”
Penalosa conceded that Pacquiao hardly used his right hook against Juan Manuel Marquez last March 15 “because Marquez was watching out for it . Besides, he is an orthodox fighter.” However, Penalosa said the right hook rather than Pacquiao’s devastating left straight will be crucial since Diaz is a southpaw like Pacquiao.
Penalosa stressed that “not only will Pacquiao win by a knockout, it will be a very impressive win. Less than six rounds.”
