Without a doubt, the fight of the week was the WBC lightweight championship of the world between Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KO’s) and champion David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KO’s). Pacquiao, boxing’s mythical pound-for-pound champion, was moving up from super featherweight (130 lbs) to fight as a lightweight (135 lbs) for the first time. The Filipino has jumped up an incredible eight weight divisions from the minimumweight division (105 lbs) since beginning his career. In choosing Diaz, Pacquiao knew exactly what he was in for, a fight with a tough but relatively limited opponent who could help showcase Pacquiao’s considerable talents.
There is an old adage in boxing – speed kills – and speed (along with precise punching) proved to be the gulf between a good fighter (Diaz) and a truly great one (Pacquiao). Before the bout, there were an abundance of questions; would Pacquiao’s punches have the same effect on his larger opponent? Could he cope with his opponent’s strength and punching power? After all, Diaz had fought as high as 147 pounds, and is naturally the bigger man. Would this latest move prove to be his downfall? Was he pushing the limit? Inquiring minds wanted to know.
The Filipino made it clear right from the start of the bout he was the boss, controlling the ring, pressing forward aggressively, and landing hard hooks and crosses to the face of his opponent. Diaz fought gamely but his offense never took hold and by the end of the fourth round, the Chicago native’s face was a bloody mess.
Round after round, Pacquiao dominated the action, at one point landing a left cross so cleanly the punch produced a loud sound that was a cross between a bone cracking (his jaw) and a baseball bat hitting a home run. Before the bout, Diaz was heard saying, “This is going to be fun.”
It didn’t sound particularly fun though. By round nine, Diaz was losing steam but still attacking. After one combination, Diaz shuffled out of range. He immediately moved forward to throw a punch but Pacquiao beat him to the bunch, landing a picture-perfect left to the point of the chin. Diaz dropped face first to the canvas, out cold. With the victory, Pacquiao became the first Filipino ever to win a world championship in the lightweight division.
Immediately after the bout, promoter Bob Arum informed those in attendance, “There is a possibility we could fight Ricky Hatton next year, That remains to be seen though.”
