TRAINER CAUTIONS PACQUIAO NOT TO BE OVERCONFIDENT

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By Dong Secuya

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Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao?s childhood friend and trainer Restituto ?Buboy? Fernandez has cautioned Pacquiao ?not to be overconfident? in his WBC lightweight title fight against champion David Diaz.

After a final workout before leaving for Los Angeles last Monday, Fernandez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Diaz was ?strong and had a hammer-like blow that came from a distance."

Fernandez who said he had been studying the tapes of Diaz? previous fights on his laptop every night said that Diaz was ?really strong and even if you drop him, he gets up.? He also warned that Pacquiao ?must be careful because there?s a punch he (Diaz) throws that you don?t see.?

While admitting that Pacquiao, the WBC super featherweight champion has a decided advantage in speed because Diaz is somewhat slow but noted that ?comparative slowness is combined with power and Manny must not allow him to feel confident.?

Fernandez said that Pacquiao would have no problem making the 135 pound lightweight limit and that even though Pacquiao is moving up in weight he will ?carry his power with him.?

At the same time Fernandez said that Pacquiao is a far more intelligent fighter today and that even in training he ?likes working out his own fight plan? and prefers a real war in the ring.

He said he is hoping that a nation?s prayers and good luck will smile on Pacquiao and he will become the first Asian to win four world titles. ?That?s my prayer? added Fernandez.