Pacman makes history
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 15:54:00 06/30/2008
LAS VEGAS — Once the left hook landed, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao knew David Diaz wouldn't get up.
True enough, referee Vic Drakulich didn’t bother to count as Diaz fell to the canvass face first with 2:24 gone in the ninth round.
The Filipino boxing idol on Sunday made history after wresting the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight crown from Diaz via an astounding knockout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The 29-year-old pugilist is the first Filipino to rule the 135-pound division, affirming his status as the world's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.
He is also the first Asian to hold four titles in four weight classes after winning the WBC lightweight belt.
Pacquiao was former WBC flyweight and International Boxing Federation super bantamweight champion and is currently the WBC super featherweight champion.
“I am happy for the win tonight. I never thought I would win four world titles in four different classes. I feel great at this weight. I feel stronger at 135 pounds than at 130,” Pacquiao said at the post-fight press conference.
Pacquiao dedicated his victory to his countrymen, especially to the victims of Typhoon Frank, who momentarily forgot their grief while watching their boxing idol defeat Diaz in Las Vegas.
“Don't worry, when I come back (to the Philippines) I'll try to be of help,” he said. Pacquiao stands to receive at least $3,000,000 for the bout, excluding shares from pay-per-view hits in the United States and Canada and shares from gate receipts.
An elated President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo couldn't help but exclaim “what a masterpiece” after witnessing the fight on television in San Francisco while waiting for her return flight to Manila.
Arroyo, who just concluded a 10-day visit to the US, said Pacquiao “once again showed the sterling quality of excellence of a Filipino at his best.”
From the first bell throughout, Pacquiao dictated the tempo of the bout shown, peppering the slower Diaz with jabs and straights.
Pacquiao threw a total of 788 punches compared to Diaz’ 463 where the Filipino landed 230 of them while Diaz landed only 90.
Pacquiao unleashed 298 jabs where 50 found their mark compared to Diaz’ 144 with only 31 hitting the mark.
The Filipino boxing idol delivered 490 power punches — 180 of these found their mark. Diaz threw 319 hard blows but only 59 landed.
Diaz, 32, said Pacquiao's speed dug him in.
“He was f****ng fast. I didn't see [the left hand] coming,” he said.
“I was taking his punches and I said ‘hey, he doesn't hit that hard’ and all of a sudden I'm on the floor and (wondering) ‘what the heck happened?’,” Diaz added.
Pacquiao was also amazed by Diaz whom he described as his “toughest opponent.”
“I gave a lot of power shots and he's still standing. I (was) very surprised that Diaz was so tough,” he said.
It was an electrifying night as the crowd included Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen of the NBA champion Boston Celtics. Also seen in the stands was former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Pacquiao first burst into the Las Vegas boxing scene as an undercard to a Tyson-Lennox Lewis match where he wrested the IBF super bantamweight crown from Lehlohonolo Ledwaba of South Africa.
Manila-based teener Nicole Angela sang the national anthem while Fil-Am Jasmin Villegas rendered the Star Spangled Banner.
Diaz plodded on but couldn't catch up with Pacquiao who alternately dug in to the body and face, opening up a small cut on Diaz’ right eyelid.
Blood dripping from the cut, Diaz could only hit Pacquiao in clinches in the third and fourth rounds.
By the fifth round, Diaz’ face was a bloody mess and by the sixth, a mouse appeared on his left eye, requiring a lookover from the ring physician.
A closing flurry of punches in the seventh jarred Diaz, who also suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose and was sneezing and spitting blood.
In the eighth round, Pacquiao staggered Diaz with left and right combinations and sent the Mexican-American reeling to the ropes.
Diaz sprung forward in the ninth, sneaking a right which infuriated Pacquiao, who unleashed stinging combinations to the body and head.
Then Diaz, a 4-1 underdog, opened up. As Pacquiao glazed him with a right, Diaz got caught with that left.
As soon as Pacquiao saw Diaz down, he tugged on Diaz’ arms, concerned that his fellow Top Rank fighter was badly hurt.
Once knowing that Diaz was okay, Pacquiao rushed to the corner to offer a prayer and then climbed to the ropes, raising his arms and glancing upward in gratitude.
It was Pacquiao's 36th knockout in 47 victories against three losses and two draws in an illustrious career spanning 13 years. Diaz dropped to 34-2-1.
With the knockout, Pacquiao established himself as a solid force in the division even as he expressed willingness to move up in weight once more to challenge British junior welterweight (140-lb) superstar Rick Hatton in the future.
According to Top Rank president Bob Arum, Pacquiao will defend his 135-lb title first in November against a yet to be named opponent.
Arum said the Filipino boxing champ may possibly face WBA super featherweight champion Venezuelan Edwin Valero or even Hatton.
But he warned that it would be a mistake for Pacquiao to fight in the past 140-lb category.
Trainer Freddie Roach raised the possibility of a possible showdown with Oscar De la Hoya.
“If De La Hoya said he wants to fight, we'd fight him at 147 because it's the right guy at 147 because he's older. He's not the same guy that he was when he was younger,” said Roach.
“With the right money, we'd take that fight, yes. You're probably supposed to lose that fight, but I don't think he loses though. I know Oscar pretty well. I like Oscar, I have nothing against him, but it would be a good fight.” /Inquirer and Contributor Salven Lagumbay
|
