By Frank Malilong
The Other Side

THERE goes the goat.

Hours before Manny Pacquiao fought David Diaz in Last Vegas last Sunday, the Los Angeles Times reported an incident during a news conference in which the fight’s promoters established what the paper described as a new “high (low?) for gimmicks.”

“Diaz, a big Chicago Cubs fan,” wrote LA Times columnist Bill Dwyre, “was told that there would be a goat on hand, that it would represent the famous curse of the goat that Cubs fans often point to as the reason their team has been generally worthless and that were he to win the fight, the curse of the goat would be off.”

Diaz was, however, informed of the plan only minutes before the goat was brought out and, wanting no part of it, headed for the men’s room.

Read the rest of this entry »

CEBU CITY (2nd Update, 1:17 p.m.) — Filipino national boxing hero Manny Pacquiao proved to be more lethal than defending WBC lightweight champion David Diaz when he made history Saturday night (Sunday noon RP time) by winning his fourth division title with a ninth-round knockout victory at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

After landing a right on the face of Diaz, Pacquiao connected a quick left from out of nowhere to the jaw of the Mexican-American, who kissed the canvas 36 seconds into the ninth stage. Read the rest of this entry »

Round 9 - Diaz falls, Pacquiao wins

Round 8 - Pacquiao unloaded soft shots and followed up with strong punches to the head and body of Diaz, who obviously is a sturdy lightweight.

Round 7 - Pacquiao continued his domination of the fight by connecting punches to head of Diaz.

Round 6 - Diaz again tried to pressure Pacquiao in the sixth round only to receive more punishment.

Round 5 - Pacquiao threw jabs at Diaz and continued his relentless attack. Diaz’s cut over his right eye got bigger.

Round 4 - The two southpaws exchanged blows but Pacquiao kept pouncing on Diaz with a flurry of left and right punches.

Round 3 -   Diaz started Round 3 with a combination, but Pacquiao returned the favor. Manny continued to land power shots on Diaz, who stood his ground throughout.

Round 2 - Pacquiao landed several punches on the body and head of Diaz, who eventually suffered a cut on the nose. Round 2 was entirely Pacquiao’s.

Round 1 - Pacquiao threw the first punch and traded punches with Diaz, who tried to put the pressure on the Pacman. Manny occasionally unleashed his one-two combination and dictated the tempo.