PACQUIAO IS TIGER WOODS OF BOXING
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 Jun 2008
CEBU CITY -- It was Tiger Woods with a pair of boxing gloves out there.
Filipino boxing icon Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao yesterday sealed his claim as the world's best boxer on the planet with an easy dismantling of WBC lightweight king David Diaz in front of 8,356 screaming fans at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The destruction was so brutal that David Diaz could not win a single round before being stopped in the 2:23 mark of the ninth round with a short left hook to the jaw that sent the Chicagoan face first to the canvas.
"That was the fastest power left hook I've ever seen. Most didn't even see it and thought Diaz just collapsed. Even if Mayweather didn't retire Pacman would still be p4p number one after this fight!" notes Cebu City Councilor Sylvan 'Jack' Jakosalem moments after the fight.
The victory allowed Pacquiao to win his fourth crown in four weight divisions, making him the first Asian fighter to do so, and silencing critics to his claim as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound.
"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," said Pacquiao at the post-fight press conference.
Diaz, at the post-fight press conference, praised Pacquiao for the victory.
"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."
The victory was also a short break from the tragedy and problems that have plagued the Philippines of late.
Sportsman Jonathan Guardo (R) led relatives and friends in watching the live action on a big screen at an upscale venue in uptown Cebu. Photo: PhilBoxing.com.
"We have faced so many adversities the past few weeks, from the soaring prices of food and fuel to the sinking of the Princess of the Stars which left so many people dead. Manny's victory is a good respite and an inspiration that we Filipinos can still stand tall, be brave and move forward," said Cebu sportsman Jonathan Guardo, who watched the fight on special pay-per-view from an upscale establishment. Guardo was at ringside in Las Vegas when Pacquiao defeated Juan Manuel Marquez last March.
Stats
The win was so lopsided the only other athlete who can do that on a regular basis is golf's Tiger Woods.
Pacquiao outpunched, out-jabbed and out-powered Diaz to a bloody pulp before referee Vic Drakulich called a halt to the fight.
According to Compubox, Pacquiao threw a total of 788 punches compared to Diaz' 463 where the Filipino landed 230 of them for a 29 percent accuracy while Diaz landed only 90 for a 19 percent accuracy.
Pacquiao also threw the more jabs, unleashing 298 of them where 50 found their mark while Diaz only threw 144 jabs and only 31 landed.
A total of 490 power punches were delivered by Pacquiao, and 180 of those found their mark. Diaz, for his part, threw 319 hard blows where only 59 landed.
"Manny is stronger and faster as a lightweight," states boxing promoter Rex 'Wakee' Salud in a long-distance interview from the United States.
Next Bout
Promoter Bob Arum, when asked as to who Pacquiao will face next, said that Pacquiao may defend his title in November possibly against Edwin Valero, but a bout with Ricky Hatton at junior welterweight is also a big possibility.
"I would think that Manny can fight at 140," Arum stated. "But I think going past 140 would be a mistake. Every time I think of Manny in a ring with [welterweights] Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito it begins to look a little ludicrous. Hatton would be OK. He could probably fight a Hatton or [Ricardo] Torres or [Kendall] Holt. He'd be all right there. I wouldn't make him a favorite, but he'd be OK. But going past 140 would be a big problem. Hatton would be a legitimate fight," Arum told ESPN.
Trainer Freddie Roach also reacted on 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. 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."
NOTES. "Pinoy Boxing," the weekly boxing program aired over DYHP radio every Sunday and backed by Auto Solutions' Sunriser motorcycles, received a record number of texters yesterday following Pacquiao's masterpiece over Diaz. Comments varied from those praising Pacquiao, to those asking whether Oscar De la Hoya would be a possible fight...
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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