The fight entitled “Lethal Combination” between three-time
world champion Manny Pacquiao and WBC lightweight champion
David Diaz may be more hype than lethal this Saturday night.
This is Manny’s lightweight debut against Diaz, who won
the title by beating a common opponent in Erik Morales. There
is a difference. Manny has had two knockouts over Morales and
Diaz practically struggled in his fight with El Terrible. Diaz
is also not seen as the number one lightweight in that
division. That position would go to Joel Casamayor or Nate
Campbell.
The big question is how is Manny going to perform at
lightweight? Is the weight gain going to slow him down? Is his
punching power going to be the same or better? Diaz may not
have the speed and athleticism that Manny possesses but he does
have punching power. Just look at his fight with Jose Armando
Cruz. Diaz was able to stop Cruz in the 10th round
despite being busted up.
There is one thing I noticed about Manny in his last fight with
Marquez. When he is cut he tends to panic. He was very
aggressive early, scoring a knockdown in the 3rd
round but after getting cut in the 7th from a clash
of heads, Pacquiao was never the same. He doesn’t like the
sight of his own blood. In his first fight against Morales he
was also cut early, causing a big distraction for him in the
long run, and giving him his only loss against Morales.
That is probably Diaz's only chance. Roughing up Manny enough
to cause a cut and taking him out of his game plan. Manny is
more likely to use his speed and power over Diaz causing more
of a “Lethal Combustion.”
Manny by late knockout or decision.
