By Jhonny Gonzalez

Former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz (36-3-1, 17 KOs) has promised to make things very hard for Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KOs) . The Mexican champion is interested in facing Diaz on July 2 in either Las Vegas or Mexico City. He wants to use Diaz to shake off any rust for a November 12 trilogy showdown with Manny Pacquiao. Diaz has not signed to fight Marquez, but hopes their clash will be made. He considers a fight with Marquez a "great opportunity."

"Marquez is a tough fighter with great technique and it will be a hard fight. I realize that he's a great fighter and a champion. But we are going to try to beat him. I'll stand in front of him and do my best. This will not be an easy fight for Marquez, if that is what he thinks. I'm not Santa Claus and I won't give anything away," Diaz told Jose Pando.