Wednesday, at the David Diaz-Manny Pacquiao press conference, held at Lalo’s in Chicago, boxing artist Chris Guzman was pleased to be able to show Pacquiao his likeness in a painting Guzman had recently created. When he saw it, Pacquiao was quoted as saying, “I want you to sell it to me.” Needless to say, another similar painting will soon be made for Manny to enjoy in his home in the Phillipines.
**Photo credit: Juan Ayllon
Earlier today at LALO’s Mexican restaurant in Chicago, the Diaz-Pacquiao press conference attracted many members of local and national press. This was Pacquiao’s first-ever trip to the hometown of David Diaz, who defends his WBC Lightweight Title against the Filipino firestorm on Saturday, June 28th in Las Vegas.
Giving plenty of photo opportunities, autographs, and most importantly, lots and lots of interviews, Pacquiao is clearly a fan favorite. His trainer, Freddy Roach, gave some warnful words to Diaz. “We’re gonna be in great shape for this one. We’ll make the necessary adjustments in order to deal with the southpaw style. We’ll be there that night. . . .and good luck, David. You might need it.”
Diaz’s trainer, Jim Strickland, is a Chicago boxing legend. He offered the following thoughts on the upcoming lightweight title fight: “These things don’t just happen on their own. I’ve had lots of consistent help over the years from Sam Colonna. Also, Mike Garcia has given me the extra hands that I just didn’t have. This is going to be one terrific fight because both guys have the same style. In-your-face style of fighting, not backing up, trying to hit as hard as they can. They’re not the kind of fighter like a Roy Jones or a (Floyd) Mayweather or some of those great, naturally-gifted boxers. They (Diaz and Pacquiao) can adapt, and change their styles a little bit, but first and foremost, they’ll just be trying to knock the other one out. Now, Manny is a terrific fighter, and he may exceed us in numbers of punches thrown. But what we’re training for is if he hits us with a three-punch combo, we’re coming back with a four-punch combo. If he hits us hard, we’re gonna hit him harder. That’s our style, and that’s our goal. So I thank Manny, and I thank all the people of Chicago, and although they can’t all be in Vegas, you will be watching HBO PPV. Thank you.”
Trying to become the first Asian boxer (and therefore, the first Filipino fighter) to have won four world championships in four different divisions, Pacquiao smiled as he told the members of press, ” Thank you Bob (Arum), good morning everybody. I’d like to thank Top Rank Promotions, but first I’d like to thank God for giving me another day. Don’t forget to watch on June 28th against David Diaz. It’s going to be a great fight. He will do his best, and I will do my best. Our styles are similar; we will both come in and come in, and keep on punching. That is our style, so it will be a great fight. I’m very happy to be here in Chicago. It is my first time. I am happy that there are other Filipinos here, and that they recognize me. . . . . .I promise you that it will be a great fight, and thank you to David Diaz for giving me the opportunity.”
Diaz, the hometown hero, who holds a win over Mexican legend Erik Morales, is used to being the underdog in high-profile fights. “First of all, I’d like to thank God for blessing me in this way, and for allowing me to get this far in my career. During a different time, I might not have been here. It’s going to be a terrific fight, and all-out war between Manny and myself. Manny’s a straight-forward fighter, as I am. We’re both going to go at it, but the only difference is that I’m going to win the fight. We’re going to bring the belt back to Chicago, and hopefully, the Filipino people out there can forgive me for that, but I just can’t allow him to beat me. I just can’t let that happen. We’ve been in this situation before, it’s not strange territory to me. I’ve been the underdog, and we’ve somehow, someway managed to come out with a victory. I don’t see why we can’t do it on June 28th. He’s a human being just like I am, he’s got two arms just like I’ve got two arms. We’re just going to go at it, and may the best man win. I believe that man is going to be me.”
Special thanks go out to the many contributing factors that made this press conference a successful outing for me. Of course, thanks to David Diaz and Manny Pacquiao. May your fight be as great as I think it will be. Also, thanks to Bob Arum and Bill Caplan for organizing this event through Top Rank. Additionally, thanks go to Dominic Pesoli and Bernie Bahrmasel of 8Count Promotions for allowing me to cover this event. Down in the trenches, I have to thank Juan Ayllon of cyberboxingzone.com, Ray Flores of WCRX’s MAIN EVENT radio show, and Joe Harrison of boxingscene.com.
***Chris Guzman has hosted The Bolo Punch Boxing Hour since 2002. This report comes directly from Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant, the site of the Chicago press conference for David Diaz and Manny Pacquiao.
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