Meet Chicago WBC lightweight champ David Diaz
The WBC lightweight champion of the world David Diaz is doing a blog for www.suntimes.com/sports as he prepares for his June 28 title defense against Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas. Go to suntimes.com/sports/boxing to see his first entry. This is his second. Post a question and I'll have David answer. Here's a clip from David's thrilling win over Mexican legend Erik Morales last August at Allstate Arena. David got knocked down in the first round and came back for a unanimous decision win.
By David Diaz,
I went to the White Sox game on Wednesday night. Although I’m a die-hard Cubs fan, it was great to be at the game. It seemed like someone must have told people I was going to be there because I had a lot of people coming up for autographs, pictures and just to wish me well in my fight against Manny Pacquiao. A few even said they were reading this blog.
» Click to enlarge image
Chicago's David Diaz defends his WBC lightweight belt against Manny Pacquiao on June 28 in Las Vegas.
(Richard Chapman/Sun-Times)
It’s always great to meet fans; Chicagoans have been very supportive of me since I was a young amateur. Taylor Bell wrote an article in the Chicago Sun-Times earlier this week about Schurz High School were I graduated from. I’m always proud to say I’m a Schurz Bulldog, same thing about being born and raised in Chicago.
The Cubs will bounce back; they just had a little slip up Thursday. They’ve been playing very solid ball and it was important to get off to a good start the season. The same principle applies in boxing—set the tone of the fight early and be aggressive. Just like the series against the Washington Nationals this weekend—on paper the Cubs have a better team with a much better record, the best thing they could do is score early and often on Friday and set the tone for the whole weekend.
Training in some ways it’s like my job. I have to show up on time and work with my trainer. We’re a team and we depend on each other. My family is the most important thing to me. I get up early and go to work. When I come home, I want to spend quality time talking about their day not about mine.
Physically and mentally the training is going great .Everything is picking up a little more each day with the intensity and pressure of our work. Since my last fight was against Ramon Montano on March 15th, it’s easier to get ready for this fight. I’ve wanted a big fight like this for a long time, he’s moving up to challenge for my title. He’s one of the best fighters in the world, believe me I’m very psyched for June 28th.
I’ll check in with you guys on Monday, be safe and have a great weekend.
Comments
David, I am a HUGE boxing fan and I was at the fight against Erik Morales in which you pretty much sent him into retirement for good. Great job! My question to you is...
1. Obviously Manny Pacquiao is a big name and is rated by most boxing publications as one of the pound for pound best fighters in the world, but if I'm not mistaken, he is moving up in weight class to fight against you at 135 lbs for the very first time. I think this might be a very tough fight for Manny, but do you think you will be able to just overpower him like you did against Morales or will Pacquiao be a tougher opponent in your opinion?
Posted by: Edgar | April 29, 2008 10:30 AM
Roman, why is there a whole blog dedicated to Oprah? What happened to 'patchofgreen'(or what ever it was called? How's you Petunias this year?
Roman responds: That Oprah blog is exploding. It's one of our most visited. Patch O' Green wilted. Haven't planted yet. It was supposed to snow yesterday.
Posted by: stuckinwisconsin | April 29, 2008 11:53 AM
Hey David,
Just want to wish you the best!! North side is very proud of you and your accomplishments!! Way to put yourself in a great position with hard work and dedication! Your a great inspiration!! See you when you get back home with the belt!!
Macho and Family
Posted by: Jose Cabanin | April 29, 2008 09:18 PM
David you and boxing has many fans - Good Luck. Manny is a beast! Let it all hang out and leave nothing in the tank!
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | April 30, 2008 10:48 AM