Saturday, June 28 2008
The legend of Manny Pacquiao continued to grow on Saturday night before 8,326 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas as the Pacman added a world title in his fourth weight division. Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) dethroned WBC lightweight titleholder David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs) via ninth round KO in a brilliant display. Pacquiao was much quicker as he outpunched and outboxed the naturally bigger man. Diaz was busted up by Pacman's sharp punching and it was target practice by round five. The gutsy Diaz kept coming, however, until Pacquiao floored him in the ninth to end it. Time was 2:24.
Pacquiao, Diaz Quick Quotes!
David Diaz: "Did anybody get the number off of that truck (in reference to Manny Pacquiao)? Today is the day that we lost. Tomorrow is another day. He's fast. The speed was the difference in the fight. I have all of the respect for him."
Manny Pacquiao: "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. He did hurt me one time during the fight. David Diaz is a very strong fighter."
Freddie Roach: "We fought a great fight plan. We fought it to the tee. We wanted to take him out in the later rounds. I am very proud of Manny."
Bob Arum: "We will defend the WBC Lightweight title later this year. There is a possibility we could fight Ricky Hatton next year. That remains to be seen."
The legend of Manny Pacquiao continued to grow on Saturday night before 8,326 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas as the Pacman added a world title in his fourth weight division. Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) dethroned WBC lightweight titleholder David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs) via ninth round KO in a brilliant display. Pacquiao was much quicker as he outpunched and outboxed the naturally bigger man. Diaz was busted up by Pacman's sharp punching and it was target practice by round five. The gutsy Diaz kept coming, however, until Pacquiao floored him in the ninth to end it. Time was 2:24.
Pacquiao, Diaz Quick Quotes!
David Diaz: "Did anybody get the number off of that truck (in reference to Manny Pacquiao)? Today is the day that we lost. Tomorrow is another day. He's fast. The speed was the difference in the fight. I have all of the respect for him."
Manny Pacquiao: "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. He did hurt me one time during the fight. David Diaz is a very strong fighter."
Freddie Roach: "We fought a great fight plan. We fought it to the tee. We wanted to take him out in the later rounds. I am very proud of Manny."
Bob Arum: "We will defend the WBC Lightweight title later this year. There is a possibility we could fight Ricky Hatton next year. That remains to be seen."
