FightHype staff predictions are in for this weekend's clash as WBC super featherweight makes his debut at lightweight to take on WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. Will the move up in weight be too much for Pacquiao, who started his career as a flyweight? Can Diaz pull off the upset against a man who's defeated Mexican legends like Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales? Who will win? Who will lose? Get the answers to these questions and more in FightHype's staff predictions.
MANNY PACQUIAO VS. DAVID DIAZ
Ben "The Hype" Thompson - Diaz by Split Decision
June has not been kind to me. I've been on a roll lately at picking the wrong guy to win so why not finish out the month with a bang! I'll go with David Diaz by shocking controversial split decision. This fight has all the ingredients needed for upset of the year. Pacquiao is fighting for the first time in a new division, lightweight, against a tough opponent in Diaz who's accustomed to taking a great amount of punishment. Although it sounds like a match made in heaven for Pacquiao, I'm not exactly sure if getting into a brawl with Diaz is a good idea, especially if Manny doesn't have the same pop he had at the lower weights. Expect Manny's speed to make him look spectacular early on in the fight, but don't be surprised if he begins to fade late as Diaz presses the action. Hey...call me crazy, but somebody had to go out on a limb...otherwise, what's the point in watching the fight?
Percy "The Talent" Crawford - Diaz by Split Decision
Nick Sanchez - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
Manny P in typical exciting Manny style, but dont expect Diaz to lay down so easily. Manny via close, but unanimous decision.
Sean Malone - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
As much as I like Diaz's chances in this fight, I can't help but go with Pacquiao. He's just too good of a fighter and I see him winning a unanimous decision by a wide margin.
Charles Presnell - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
Size won't matter that much since Diaz isn't a hard puncher. Expect Manny to be the one getting the best of the exchanges, winning an exciting, but one-sided decision.
Al "The Monster" Mermini - Pacquiao KO4
Steve Coleman - Diaz TKO8
I'm going against the grain here. I think Diaz, although limited, will prove too tough and big for the PacMan. Diaz by 8th round stoppage.
James Almonte - Pacquiao TKO6
Joe DeMaria - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
David Diaz is a tough guy with a lot of heart, but his limitations in power, speed and skill are what helped him get this assignment. I do expect Pacquiao to be forced to work harder here than many think, partially because of how up for this fight Diaz will be and partially because Pacman did spend some of his training time wearing the promoters cap instead of the headgear. Look for Pac to come out early and look dazzling, but don't be shocked when Diaz starts to make up some ground in the middle to late stages of the fight. I don't expect a knockout here. Give me Pac by close, but clear decision in a fight that is better than a lot of people are expecting.
Rob Abreu - Pacquiao TKO9
Pacquiao drops him in nine!
Derek Batista - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
Gotta go with Manny on this one. It should be a decent scrap, but Manny should win by clear-cut unanimous decision.
Jack Plato - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
Diaz is a tougher fighter than some may give him credit for, however, his only big "win" was over Erik Morales. Although it was a good scrap, it came at the downside of Erik's career and there was some questionable judging in a few rounds. Diaz is a good fighter, but Pacquiao is a great fighter and the difference will be noticeable. I predict scores for Manny by something like 116-112 (twice) and 117-111.
Joey "Titlebelt" Karash - Pacquiao KO7
Josh Jordon - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
I think Manny will look good at lightweight, but I'm not sure he'll be able to stop someone as sturdy and tough as Diaz. I think people are sleeping on this fight, but with their styles, I expect a very fan-friendly fight to break out. Diaz may buzz Manny at some point, but I think most of the heavy artillery will be coming from Pac. Manny by something like 116-112.
John Bell - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
Ed Garza - Pacquiao TKO5
John Tandy (Editor, www.ultimateboxingresults.com) - Pacquiao by Unanimous Decision
The fight of the weekend. Rarely is either of these guys involved in a dull fight. Neither have looked there best as of late. Diaz limped to a debatable points decision over faded Mexican star Erik Morales and Pacquiao looked less than convincing against the other Mexican, Marco Antonio Barrera, before being pushed to the limit by Juan Manuel Marquez, who many thought won. Diaz is a great fighter and many believe he has the tools to upset one of the pound-for-pound kings in Manny Pacquiao, however, with both fighters at their best, for me, Pacquiao has the advantage. I think it will be a decent fight. Both men are tough, but Pacquiao, as long as he performs somewhere near his potential ability, should win this one relatively convincingly.