Diaz: Bring on Pacquiao!

October 15, 2007

By Jacob Chavez

The post fight press conference for the exciting "Dia De Los Diaz" fight card was brief but did have the key fighters of the night speak. Don King greeted the media and thanked the Sears Centre and the City of Chicago for their hospitality. He was quick to address comments made by HBO commentator and boxing analyst, Larry Merchant, regarding the lower than expected ticket sales for the event. Merchant stated that in Juan Diaz' hometown of Houston, TX or perhaps somewhere in California where Julio Diaz resides there would have been a packed venue. King gleefully stated, "The fight took place where it was supposed to take place, In Chicago. California and Houston had their chance and they didn't step up to the plate; Chicago stepped up to the plate."

The now three-time world champion Juan "The Baby Bull" Diaz spoke eloquently as usually. Thanking all those in attendance and his camp. He went on to say that he is ready to face the best fighters around, namely Manny Pacquiao and WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz. "I think I am ready for Pacquiao. He has beaten legendary Mexican Fighters but I think it is time he faced a young Mexican Champion."

When asked why he prefers Pacquiao over David Diaz, Juan responded "That is the dream fight for me. I can fight either one. I want the belt too, but whichever one we can get a contract signed with I will fight." The young role model commended Julio Diaz for a tough fight and stated he was surprised Julio went in to trade power shots and not box as was expected. Surprisingly, Juan stated that this was not his most difficult fight in his career thus far, "The hardest was when I was 18 years old and I fought Ubaldo Hernandez," a fight he won by split decision. He also expressed how this victory is only going to lead to bigger and better things, "This year and next year is my time to shine."

Sitting front row salivating at another opportunity at the world championship was number one contender Nate Campbell. Campbell's camp was addressed by Juan Diaz' manager Willie Savannah that perhaps the ideal scenario would be that Juan face David Diaz and Campbell take on WBO Interim Champion Michael Katsidis the same night and the winners of those two bouts should then face each other. An enthusiastic handler of Campbell shouted, "No problem here."

The name of Casamayor was also brought up by Savannah. He mentioned how many consider him the champion since he never really lost his title and was instead stripped of it by the WBC. He stated that despite having contracts signed and negotiations completed, Casamayor always pulled out of the fight, "But he still keeps calling everybody body out. All he does is talk, he is going to grow old talking."

Julio Diaz gave no excuses during his brief time at the microphone" I want to congratulate Juan for his win. I was 100% ready but was looking for one punch only and forgot about winning rounds. I want to give no excuses and just say It was his night tonight. Tonight was one of those nights where I did the opposite of what I trained for and what my corner told me." Julio praised the energy and resolve of Juan, "He is a tough and hyper kid." Julio then left the room but not before being embraced and receiving a warm farewell talk by Willie Savannah.

The first of the fighters to speak was "Merciless" Mike Mollo, who showed an impressive destruction of former Olympian Art "The Polish Warrior" Binkowski. With an expression on his face of self-satisfaction Mollo stated, "He did a lot of trash-talking the whole time. From the press conference to the weight-in, but I let my fists do the talking." Binkowski has resided in Chicago in the past but Mollo wants to be known as the premier heavyweight of the area, " He claims to be from Chicago and I'm from Chicago, but I want to show that I am Chicago's heavyweight." Mollo then proceeded to call out any local heavyweight who wishes to disagree to step into the ring. Don King was quick to interject, "Who do you got in mind Mike, your talkin all this…" Mollo then interrupted, "Bring on Andrew Golota." The confident Mollo then said he was ready to do it that very night, as Binkowski was only a warm-up for him.