By Inquirer
CEBU CITY–Here’s Manny Pacquiao’s reply to lightweight king Juan Diaz’s challenge:
“If the price is right,” said the Filipino ring icon.
The retort came after Diaz unified three lightweight titles in his bout against Julio Diaz Sunday in Chicago when the latter failed to answer the bell in the ninth round.
Juan Diaz added the International Boxing Federation lightweight title to his World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization crowns, leaving just the World Boxing Council version of his division as the only missing jewel to his collection.
Another Diaz, David, holds the WBC lightweight diadem, but Juan Diaz made it clear as to who his camp wants next.
“We want (Manny) Pacquiao,” promoter Don King said.
Pacquiao announced plans to ascend to the 135-pound ranks after a clinical 12-round dismantling of Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera in a super featherweight bout early this month.
Pacquiao, however, had earlier said he wanted to face David Diaz before stepping back into the super featherweight ranks to challenge 130-pound king Juan Manual Marquez.
But Juan Diaz feels he should be the one to induct the Filipino into the lightweight ranks.
“I think it’s time for him to step up and fight a young Mexican,” the Mexican-American Juan Diaz said of Pacquiao.
Juan Diaz’s bout against Julio Diaz ended just as the bell to start the round rang.
Julio Diaz’s brother, Joel, a cornerman, told the referee to stop it, bringing a fight that Juan Diaz (33-0) had dominated to a sudden conclusion.
“I thought he was going to box me more, but he came to fight,” Juan Diaz said after defending the WBA title for the seventh time. Reports from Salven Lagumbay, Contributor; Associated Press and Agence France-Presse
October 15th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
This will be a true test to Pacquiao.. If he conquered the lightweight division.. He will truly be the number pound for pound champion
October 15th, 2007 at 9:59 am
As regards to Pacman’s reply to DIAZ that “If the price is right”. Well, Pacquiao is definitely “mukhang Pera” na ngayon to the extent na binabalewala niya na mas malalakas ang kanyang makakalaban sa lightweight. Sabagay, pumirma nga cya sa dalawang promoter na parehas nagbigay ng pera sa kanya. Tingnan ko lang kung matuwa sa kanya si lord na lagi nya binabangit sa mga interview kc ayaw ni lord ng sinasamba ang pera.
October 15th, 2007 at 9:47 am
Well Pacquiao should fight first Marquez because a win on Marquez will settle who between them the best and ofcourse will earn him (Pacman) as three time world champion which will be the first asian to do so. After that, Pacman should fight first WBC title holder in the lightweight division before going down to other titles.