Pacquiao, Diaz step up training

As the fight nears, everything else “goes up” in training for Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz who will dispute the WBC lightweight crown on June 28 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, who’s in Los Angeles, has stepped up in training, going five, seven and eight rounds in sparring last week, and eight and 10 last Monday and Wednesday.

The doors to the Wild Card Gym have also been closed to the public whenever Pacquiao trains.

Over in Chicago, where Diaz, the world 135-lb champion is based, it’s just the same tempo as the awaited match dubbed “Lethal Combination” is just 28 days up ahead.

“The time will fly between now and June 28th. Every day now it’s important as we increase the intensity of everything we do,” said the 31-year-old Diaz.

He opened his training camp last April 19, a few weeks ahead of Pacquiao. But it’s just about this time where he has started stepping it up for his title defense.

“Sparring rounds increase, rounds on the mitts, shadowboxing, speedbags, situps etc. Everything goes up,” he said in his “diary” which sees print in the Chicago Sun Times.

He said everything’s just fine.

“My body feels great and mentally I feel terrific about this fight. As in any sport, part of it is mental and part physical — both sides must be in tune in order to get the best performance.”

Pacquiao and Diaz, once again, will be under one roof on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) for another promotional gig scheduled in San Francisco.