| |
When two explosive world champions at the top of their game mix it up for the world title, it's a "Lethal Combination." Newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao and WBC lightweight champion David Diaz will battle in a 12-round rumble with Diaz's title at stake. Promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Pacquiao vs. Diaz will take place Saturday, June 28 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST.
Pacquiao vs. Diaz Tickets
Dubbed "Republica Enemy No. 1," Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KOs), from General Santos City, Philippines, has defeated the best fighters Mexico has had to offer over the course of the past five years. They include Erik Morales (KO 3, TKO 10), Marco Antonio Barrera (TKO 11, W 12), Juan Manuel Marquez (W 12, D 12), Oscar Larios (W 12), Emanuel Lucero (TKO 3), Hector Velazquez (TKO 6) and Jorge Solis (KO 8). Pacquiao was named 2006 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America and The Ring magazine for his two spectacular knockout victories over Mexican icon and three-division champion Morales, as well as his dominating 12-round unanimous decision over former world champion Larios.
The hard-hitting southpaw has won 22 of his last 23 bouts including last year's victories over Barrera and Solis. Pacquiao's 12-round split decision victory against Marquez earlier this year not only avenged a disputed draw from their 2004 battle, it also made "Pac-man" a four-division world champion.
Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs), from Chicago, will be making the second defense of his title which he successfully defended against the three-division world champion Morales last summer; it was a hard-fought unanimous decision over the future Hall of Famer. Although behind on the scorecards early, Diaz remained cool and rallied before the raucous hometown-Chicago crowd of 10,000 to capture the decision. He swept the championship rounds and won the decision by scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112.
With the victory, Diaz cemented his place among the best lightweights in the sport and one of the most popular and respected athletes in the sports-crazy town of Chicago. A member of the 1996 United States Olympic team, Diaz has 12 years of experience as a professional and is more than prepared to handle the pressures that come with battling boxing's pound-for-pound most exciting fighter.
Pacquiao vs. Diaz Tickets
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
|
