Many sports writers abroad are predicting a Manny Pacquiao win, with bettors seemingly echoing their sentiments (or is it the other way around?). As of this writing, the Pacman from
Manila is a 4-1 favorite over David Diaz. However, experts are quick to point out that this won't be a slam dunk for Manny as Diaz is a scrappy and sturdy fighter who is capable of pulling off a win if Pacquiao isn't in his best form. Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports writes, "Manny is the more gifted fighter, but there are credible rumors he hasn’t trained particularly hard for the bout. Plus, he’s moving up to 135 for the first time, where he’ll lose some of the speed that made him special. He should win the fight, but if he’s at anything but his best, he’ll run into problems." (See also Manny Pacquiao vs David Diaz: Southpaw Showdown & Pacquiao Diaz fight: Another Blockbuster)
I share Mr. Iole's observations. Don't get me wrong, I am rooting for Manny Pacquiao as always. However, Kevin Iole has raised valid points that should not be disregarded. And I hope Manny and his camp knows this as well. (You may also read the updated version of this post here: Manny Pacquiao or David Diaz?)
If you like this post, then please consider subscribing to my RSS feed. You can also subscribe by email and have new posts sent directly to your inbox.
