"I will try to improve on my speed when I get to the Wild Card in Los Angeles," Pacquiao said when he worked out at a newly-opened gym owned by Gerry Peñalosa in Mandaluyong prior to his 10 p.m. flight to the US via Philippine Airlines.

Pacquiao said David Diaz, who will make the second defense of his World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight crown at Mandalay Bay, "is someone not to be taken for granted because he has power and is determined to keep his title."

"Speed will play a big role for me in this fight," said Pacquiao, who arrives in the US Monday night in time for a luncheon press conference Tuesday at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles.

Unlike the ones conducted by trainer Freddie Roach, yesterday’s session was extra-light as the 29-year-old current WBC super-feather king toyed with training assistant and long-time pal Buboy Fernandez during the punchmitt routine.

Drenched in sweat and his arms weary from the heavy pounding from Pacquiao’s solid blows, Fernandez stepped out of the ring to tell Pacquiao that he’s had enough.

"Aren’t you a trainer of a world champion?" Pacquiao shouted at Fernandez as the crowd went wild at the boxer’s antics.

"You act as though you are a trainer of a four-round fighter."

The atmosphere yesterday was cheerful that during a break, Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee walked up near the ring and gave his husband a smack.

Pacquiao is fighting for the first time at 135 lbs, where the great Flash Elorde met his Waterloo in the mid-1960s at the hands of Puerto Rican Carlos Ortiz. But he doesn’t see anything that will prevent him from adding Diaz’s title to his WBC fly, International Boxing Federation superbantam and WBC superfeather championships.

"I am not worried about not making the weight limit of 135 lbs or not being able to feel good at this weight class because I feel this would be just perfect for me," Pacquiao said.

"But, I don’t want to underestimate Diaz, I am just excited to get back on the ring once again," added Pacquiao, who carved out a hair-line 12-round split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico in his last outing last March 15.

Before leaving for the US, Pacquiao had dinner with horseracing master Hermie Esguerra and a few close friends at the Sheraton Hotel.

Meanwhile, Top Rank big boss Bob Arum can’t wait to see Pacquiao in the US so they could get it on with the promotional aspect of the fight.

"Everything is all set as far as the one-day tours of key cities," said Arum, who is coming off a vacation in Costa Rica.

Arum said after Tuesday’s luncheon press conference, Pacquiao will fly to Diaz’s hometown of Chicago next week followed by visits to San Diego, San Francisco and Phoenix.