LAS VEGAS — Reigning World Boxing Council lightweight
champion David Diaz scored a majority decision win over Ramon Montano on
Saturday and boosted his bid for a big-money fight with Manny Pacquiao.
Diaz, a 1996 US Olympian, improved his record to 34-1-1 with
17 knockouts but he failed to hurt Montano, considered by many as a light
puncher.
"I felt sloppy. I was trying too hard for a knockout," said
Diaz. "It wasn’t my best performance, but the 10 rounds of hard work was really
good. He’s a game kid, and he takes a good shot. I’m rooting for Pacquiao, and
then let’s go with it."
"I want that fight badly. Pacquiao is the top dog," added
Diaz. "Beating him would be a great achievement. I know I’d be the underdog like
always but there’s no quit in me. I’ve proved it in the past. I think you’d see
a good old fashioned war."
Two judges saw Diaz a clear winner in the fight that served
as the under card of the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez title match. Another judge
scored it even at 95.
In another under card fight, Steven Luevano defended his
World Boxing Organization featherweight title with a lackluster unanimous
decision over Terdsak Jandaeng of Thailand.
Filipino Diosdado Gabi was floored in the second round by
Abner Mares in their bantamweight fight.
Diaz defended his title for the second time since winning the
interim title with a 10th-round knockout of Jose Armando Santa Cruz in August
2006.
Promoter Bob Arum announced last week that Diaz and Pacquiao are expected to
clash for Diaz’s title at the Mandalay Bay on June 28. Pacquiao is hoping that
fight will set up a unification bout with Nate Campbell, who holds three world
titles, in Macau later this year.
