David Diaz - I am ready to go Against Manny Pacquiao

CHICAGO, Illinois - An emotional David Diaz told fans and journalists on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) at his one and only public workout at the JABB Boxing Gym in this city's northwest side. "I am ready to go." David Diaz said.

David Diaz had to extend the short public workout because autograph seekers refused to leave until he had signed everyone's posters.

The workout capped two months of non-stop promotional appearances in key US cities by the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champ.

The 32-year-old Chicago native will leave this weekend for California in what will be the final week leading to his dream fight with Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, who will attempt to take Diaz’s WBC Lightweight championship belt away from him, next Saturday, June 28 (June 29 in the Philippines) at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao (46-3-2, 34 KO’s), the WBC super featherweight champ, has had to move up the 135-pound division to challenge Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KO’s).

Diaz pledged to frustrate Pacquiao’s quest for his fourth title in four different divisions, during a press conference on Wednesday (Tuesday in the Philippines).

"I‘m going to retain my title," Diaz said.

After Thursday's autograph-signing, manager Jim Strickland and co-trainer Mike Garcia started in earnest David’s workout in the gym. No more picture-taking was allowed.

Bernie Bahrmasel, Diaz’s publicity agent, had to beg photographers from further taking footages, saying the more than one-hour public workout should be more than enough.

Diaz said he psyched himself up by "thinking positive and looking forward that we’re going to come out with a victory and that we’re going to be faster and stronger than our opponent. And our mentality is always the same – going forward and never giving up."

For Diaz fighting Pacquiao would be like living a dream.

"one of the most dangerous guys in boxing, if not the number one, pound-for-pound fighter, and it’s great," Diaz said. "I want this challenge, so it’s coming out to be pretty good."

Because he wanted this fight to go the distance, Diaz said he wanted to be in great condition.

Trainer Jim Strickland believes Diaz can "outwork" Pacquiao, though the Filipino champ is aggressive and in top condition.

At noon on Monday, June 23 (June 24 in the Philippines), Diaz will join Pacquiao at a press conference in Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California, according to Top Rank and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

He said that would kick off "what should be an extremely, extremely exciting week, leading up to the fight."

On Wednesday, June 25 (June 26 in the Philippines), the two boxers will hold the last press conference in Las Vegas.

FYI - Behind Sports