BARRERA DIE-HARD PRAISES PACQUIAO FOR GESTURE IN HELPING DAVID DIAZ
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 03 Jul 2008
LAREDO, Texas ? A classic act.
This was how Escobar Lamazon, a die-hard fan of former world boxing champion Marco Antonio Barrera, described the ?gesture of compassion? of Manny Pacquiao when he tried to help the fallen and dethroned World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz who absorbed a heart-rending 9th round disposal loss in their 12-round championship battle at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28.
?Pacquiao won the hearts of millions of Mexicans who watched the fight because of that single classic act,? said the 65-year-old Lamazon who operates a restaurant here.
He was referring to Pacquiao?s attempt to bring Diaz back on his feet after referee Vic Draculich pulled the plug two minutes gone in the ninth round as Diaz laid on the canvas.
Minutes before that, Pacquiao uncorked three dazzling combinations and finished of the rock-chinned Diaz with a wicked short left to the right jaw.
The seasoned referee did not bother to count and ruled Pacquiao winner by technical knockout (TKO).
Diaz, who had cuts under his right eyebrow and bridge of the nose, was bloodied since round three and was losing in all the three judges? scorecards by a mile when Pacquiao connected the brutal punch.
Lamazon, an American of Mexican descent, said it?s been a long time since he saw a boxer trying to help a down opponent especially in world title fights.
?Normally, two boxers in a world championship are really in conflict throughout the fight and they don?t care if one of them gets beheaded. That?s how brutal boxing can be. But Pacquiao showed the world that boxing is not a brutal sport at all,? added the bemoustached Lamazon.
Lamazon said as a Mexican-American ?it was but normal that I was hurt? when Pacquiao first demolished in the 11th round his favorite Mexican warrior Barrera five years ago in a non-title fight in San Antonio, Texas.
?But now, I like Pacquiao,? he concluded. ?No more hatred.?
Top photo: Manny Pacquiao (R) of Philippines approaches a knocked out David Diaz of the U.S. as referee Vic Drakulich looks on during a WBC lightweight title fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
“Oceanside Prize Fights” WEIGHTS from Revere, MA
Sat, 16 Aug 2025Kenneth “Lover Boy” Llover and Luis “Nica” Concepcion Face Off, Ready for Exciting Action Sunday at Winford Resort Manila
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 16 Aug 2025'BATA' REYES YALIN 10-BALL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE HELD IN MANDALUYONG
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 16 Aug 2025KENNETH LLOVER AND LUIS CONCEPCION PROMISE FIREWORKS AS THEY GO FACE TO FACE FOR THE FIRST TIME
Fri, 15 Aug 2025Khan, De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha, Dologuin, Dawrani in Action in Brico Santig’s Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 15 Aug 2025Capiz's veteran woodpushers join the Touchmove rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 15 Aug 2025Oleksandr Usyk perfect model for Boxing phenom Marco Romero
Fri, 15 Aug 2025Dante “The Inferno” Kirkman Set to Make Ring Return September 6 at “Thunder Showdown III”
Fri, 15 Aug 2025‘PLATINUM’ MIKE PERRY VS. JEREMY STEPHENS HEADLINES GROUND BREAKING BKFC EVENT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY
Fri, 15 Aug 2025Traya now in Thailand for 'Battle of Bangkok' on Aug. 30
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 14 Aug 2025Nine National Masters join the Touchmove event
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 14 Aug 2025What's Three Pounds? The Collazo-Vayson Affair (Part II)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 14 Aug 2025Don King Productions Announces October 4th Showdown Featuring No. 1 WBA Heavyweight Contender Michael Hunter Facing World Champion Kubrat Pulev
Thu, 14 Aug 2025Jayson Vayson Ready to Battle Oscar Collazo for WBO/WBA World Titles (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 14 Aug 2025Arab American boxing pride to be on display August 31st in Detroit
Thu, 14 Aug 2025