This was the stern warning issued by Jim Strickland on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) after Diaz, the World Boxing Council lightweight titlist, and Manny Pacquiao did the traditional walk-in at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino here.
The 78-year-old Strickland, who’s worked with the likes of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and middleweight king Mike Mcallum, said that early in his amateur career Diaz’s reputation was that of a big hitter.
Strickland said he saw the former Golden Gloves champion bowl over several opponents although their paths didn’t cross until Diaz’s 13th pro fight.
They’ve been together ever since and Strickland never regretted his decision to take in the fighter who once quit boxing to attend to his ailing mother and a brother, who eventually died of AIDS.
“On a scale of one to 10, I’ll give him a 9 as far as work ethic is concerned,” said Strickland. “There’s a lot of fighters who work hard, but he’s right there among super champions who work harder most consistently.”
Describing Diaz as a blue-collar fighter, Strickland said his ward feels he can beat anybody, Pacquiao included, in the ring.
“He’s never intimidated. He’s most calm when fighting big-name opponents,” said Strickland.
Diaz promised in a separate interview to do what it takes to retain his crown.
“If my trainer wants me to go through a wall, I’ll go through it. If it’s a big wall, I’ll chip away.”
Strickland knows that Pacquiao is a big wall and has given Diaz explicit orders.
“Try to match him (Pacquiao) whatever he does from the first round on. Engage him blow by blow.”
But if needed, Strickland has fallback instructions for Diaz “to box if we needed to.”
Diaz, with a lone loss to Kendal Holt and a lone draw in 35 fights, said “the best-conditioned fighter will win and it will boil down to a good old traditional fight.”
(Roy Luarca; INQ.net)
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