Pacquiao: I stuck to the game plan
By Roy Luarca
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:06:00 07/01/2008
LAS VEGAS—A jab here and there. Move in, move out. A day after methodically demolishing a champion to crown himself lightweight king, Manny Pacquiao said he fought according to plan against David Diaz.
“Boxing, boxing. Huwag muna toe-to-toe (Don’t go toe-to-toe first). In and out, use my jab,” said Pacquiao, analyzing the fight which American trainer Freddie Roach said was the best the Filipino ring icon ever fought.
Pacquiao, however, thought otherwise.
“Pacquiao-Barrera I, nothing can beat that,” Pacquiao said in Filipino.
Pacquiao stopped Mexican star Marco Antonio Barrera in the 11th round of their non-title showdown in San Antonio, Texas, in 2003, a victory that catapulted the Gen. Santos City native into big money fights.
The “Pacman” stopped Diaz in the ninth round to wrest the World Boxing Council lightweight crown Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
There was no debate, however, as to how effectively Pacquiao carried out the game plan built around seizing control of the match in the first two rounds.
“Ganoon talaga ang nasa isip kong laro, kontrolin ang speed (It was really what I intended to do, control the speed),” said Pacquiao. “Relax lang, unti-unti (Just relax, little by little).”
Now that he has finished the job, the Filipino is looking at future opponents.
“Kahit sino, puwedeng [Ricky] Hatton (Anybody, possibly Hatton),” said Pacquiao. “It could be another record.”
Lee Beard, who helps train the Briton superstar back home, believes a showdown between the two stars in the 140-pound division is not only feasible, but a blockbuster in the making.
“That would be a huge fight,” said Beard, who paid Pacquiao a surprise visit at the Filipino ring icon’s suite at the Mandalay Bay.
Hatton, Britain’s pride, holds reign in the 140-pound division.
After watching Pacquiao vanquish Diaz in nine rounds Sunday, Beard said the match-up would be interesting.
Beard said if Pacquiao can beat Diaz, who’s a big, strong fighter, he can stand up to Hatton in the 140-pound division.
Hatton, who enjoys a big fan base back home, is slated to fight New York’s Paul Malignaggi in November.
Pacquiao also mentioned Cuban Joel Casamayor, the World Boxing Organization lightweight titlist, and Venezuelan knockout artist Edwin Valero, the World Boxing Association 130-pound champion, as possible opponents in November.
Valero, who has knocked out his first 24 opponents, is high on the list, according to Top Rank president and Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum.
After watching Pacquiao make minced meat of Diaz, however, Valero’s promoter, Akihiro Honda, is reportedly inclined to back off negotiations.
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