By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former  World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz, the likeable southpaw from Chicago who was battered into submission in nine rounds by Manny Pacquiao on June 28, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino believes the speed of Pacquiao will be the key in beating undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Diaz should know because it was the terrific hand-speed that accentuated his punching power in a ninth round demolition of Diaz.

In an overseas telephone conversation with BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard/Viva Sports, Diaz who had won the WBC lightweight title by a twelve round unanimous decision over Erik “El Terrible” Morales on August 4, 2007 said he feels the “speed and aggressiveness of Pacquiao will be a deciding factor” because he thinks that Mayweather “had fought a lot more slower fighters.”

Diaz also said that the southpaw stance of Pacquiao will make it “a little bit difficult” for Mayweather, the undefeated WBC/WBA welterweight champion and the pound for pound king.

He predicted “its gonna be a great fight which boxing needed and I can’t wait to see it.”

Diaz, who was losing by a shutout before referee Vic Drackulich stopped the fight with Pacquiao in the 9th round ,told us to please request Manny for two tickets for the fight. He said “I don’t need hotel rooms or anything else but please request him for two tickets for me.”

Earlier, the father/trainer of five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire told us he too believes that Pacquiao “has got the speed” that will enable him to win a tough fight by a unanimous twelve round decision.