Pacquiao wins 4th title
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.
Pacquiao, in a most brilliant display of his skills, threw a flurry of punches at the onset and cut Diaz’s nose in the second round. Pacquiao proved to be too much for Diaz, who suffered another cut over his right eye in the following round.
Pacquiao made target practice of Diaz by Round 5, but the real sturdy lightweight from Chicago stood his ground and continued to trade punches with the Pacman until the eventful ninth stage.
The Pacman, who improved his record to 47 wins with three losses and two draws, wrote his name in the record books as the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win world titles at four different weight divisions.
Pacquiao said Diaz was so far his toughest opponent.
Pacquiao, coming off a split-decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez in their thrilling rematch last March 15, had won titles in the flyweight, super-bantamweight, and super-featherweight classes.
Pacquiao has also been nicknamed “The Mexicutioner” after getting the best of every Mexican fighter he has faced including Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.
The Mexicutioner is now being lined up to see action on Nov. 8 possibly against Ricky Hatton in a super-lightweight (140 lbs) fight.
Pacquiao has dedicated his victory to the victims of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars, which sank near the islands of Romblon last week.