LAS VEGAS (AFP) — Filipino champion Manny Pacquiao, who has won his last seven consecutive fights, faces World Boxing Council lightweight title holder David Diaz Saturday at the Mandalay Bay hotel.
An icon in the Philippines, Pacquiao (46-3-2, 25 KOs) enters his fight against Diaz trying to complete a quest to capture five world titles is as many weight classes.
Pacquiao's WBC junior lightweight and super featherweight belts are not on the line.
Pacquiao, who already has won titles at flyweight, super bantamweight, featherweight and super featherweight, enters the bout against Diaz having won his last seven fights since losing to Erik Morales in March 2005.
Included in that winning streak is a pair knockout wins over Morales.
Despite his recent success, the 29-year-old Pacquiao is preparing for a war against fellow southpaw Diaz on the Las Vegas strip.
"This will be my hardest-fought battle," said Pacquiao, who won a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in March to capture the super featherweight crown.
"It has been over three years since I have changed weight divisions and I will be doing it against the lightweight division's world champion.
"But this is my drive for five world titles in five different weight classes."
Said Diaz, "I will shock the world and beat Pacquiao at his own game, power for power. He's a great champion, but he's fighting in my division - lightweight. I have worked too hard for this world title and I will not give it up to him.
"I have always done pretty good against southpaws. I hit them, so I really should be all right."
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