VALERO SAYS PACQUIAO IS SPECIAL

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World Boxing Association super featherweight champion Edwin Valero who has often been mentioned as a possible opponent of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao says "Pacquiao is special."

Valero made the statement in an interview with respected boxing writer Kieran Mulvaney in an article for ESPN.com.

Valero was talking about Pacquiao?s showdown with WBC lightweight champion David Diaz in Las Vegas on Saturday in a bout that will feature the Filipino southpaw 29 pounds and six weight divisions heavier that when he started his pro career.

The WBA champion told Mulvaney "it?s a sign of greatness. Pacquiao?s a phenomenon. Doing something like that is almost unheard of. It?s like Oscar De La Hoya. He started at 130 and was fighting for titles at 160. That?s something special. Pacquiao is special."

Mulvaney said that what is most remarkable about this is that "with each new weight division, Pacquiao almost immediately looks ready to move up again."

Valero himself believes that Pacquiao "can go all the way up to welterweight. He's special and he has that thing about him."

Pacquiao reacted with a hint of a smile in his voice according to Mulvaney. "I am still growing" he said. "I am a growing boy."