Pacquiao: Lightweight, here I come

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MANNY PACQUIAO has an added motivation to beat Juan Manuel Marquez in their March 15 rematch: It will be his last fight as a super featherweight, win or lose.

Trainer Freddie Roach said he has discussed the Filipino star's fight plans with trainer Bob Arum.

"It'll definitely be his last fight at 130 (pounds)," said Roach in an interview with boxing website PhilBoxing.com.

Roach said he had already planned Pacquiao's next two fights--a move up to lightweight versus fellow Top Rank ward David Diaz and a bout with Ricky Hatton at 140 pounds.

Contrary to what observers say, Roach said it won't be an easy fight against Diaz.

"A lot of people tell me it's an easy fight, I don't think so," said Roach. "David Diaz is not an easy fight because he doesn't like fighting southpaws. He hasn't fought one in a while."

"Diaz is strong, he comes to you," Roach added. "It's a must-win situation for us to go on to bigger and better things. David Diaz is a winnable fight."

Lightweight king Juan Diaz is also a good prospect but Roach said promotional issues are hounding the unified WBA, WBO and IBF world champion.

"Juan Diaz is with Don King right now and just can't get his career together right now," said Roach. "Right now, it just doesn't seem like a possibility but hopefully in the future it will be."

As for Hatton, Roach said the English boxer is "physically really not that big. [He's] only about my height [and] a little bigger than Pacquiao"

"When I saw Hatton fighting (Floyd) Mayweather (last December) at 147, Ricky (looked like) a small guy," said Roach.

Source:inquirer.net

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