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June 28, 2008: When Pacquiao Broke Through A Historic Barrier at Lightweight (Part 1) By Teodoro Medina Reynoso PhilBoxing.com Thu, 11 Jun 2020  Pacquiao and Diaz at weighin. The Lightweights as Make or Break Division The heavyweights was once known as the ultimate prize in boxing. The welterweights and the middleweights were called the glamour divisions and they are still to date. The lightweights or 135 lbs class, one of the original eight weight divisions which virtually separate the lower weights from the higher weights, historically however has been seen as a make or break weight class. Perhaps, we can call it the "New York" division as in "if one can make it there, one can make it anywhere". Or the "Mona Lisa" division as in "they just lie there and they die there". The lightweights proved to be a "New York" for a lot of boxers from Tony Canzoneri, Henry Armstrong, Barney Ross, Sugar Ray Robinson and Roberto Duran to Hector Macho Camacho, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar de la Hoya, Pernell Whitaker and Shane Mosley. All of those fighters later won titles or at the very least made their mark in higher weight classes after their conquest of the lightweight division, with a select few going as high as the middleweights. But the lightweights also proved to be a "Mona Lisa" or end of the line division for also a lot of fighters in history like Joe Gans, Benny Leonard, Lou Ambers, Ike Williams, Joe Brown, Carlos Ortiz and Alexis Arguello who all won world titles there but could not progress any farther. The division also was waterloo for fine fighters as Flash Elorde, Azumah Nelson and Erik Morales who all won titles at super featherweight or 130 lbs and below who tried but failed to win a world belt at lightweight, practically ending their championship careers right there. Hence, the lightweight class often determined the success or failure of many of boxing's notable practitioners moving forward and at times ultimately defined for the better or worst, their career and overall impact on the sport. It was against this backdrop that twelve years ago, Top Ranks boss Bob Arum, Manny Pacquiao's promoter announced that Manny will be fighting American defending titleholder David Diaz for the WBC lightweight championship on June 28, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Three months before, on March 15, 2008, Manny had just wrested the WBC super featherweight crown from bitter rival Juan Manuel Marquez in a grueling, brutally fought 12 round contest that was decided by the slimmest of margins. As in their first fight at featherweight that ended in a controversial draw two years back, Manny managed to floor Marquez and that proved the difference in their second meeting. Manny though also took some pounding in that fight. Not a few of his fans and supporters were therefore doubtful of his readiness, physically and mentally to go up to the lightweights aware of the fate that befell Flash Elorde before him in the quest. Some even cited that Pinoys Roberto Cruz, Pedro Adigue and Morris East had better luck at junior welterweight bypassing the lightweight as did foreign noted fighters as Saul Mamby and Aaron Pryor. The Lightweights as A Barrier for Pinoy Fighters Hence, many well meaning Filipino boxing fans and enthusiasts, including some experts and a few politicians expressed concerns and reservations on Manny immediately moving up to go for his record setting fifth world title at lightweight. Old timers particularly cited the case of Flash Elorde whose otherwise glittering championship career as world super featherweight titlist was ruined by his two disastrous attempts to snatch the lightweight crown from Carlos Ortiz. It even came to the point where a group of legislators even filed a resolution calling on the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to not sanction, and prevent Manny from taking part in that fight. Back then I remember the now deceased Edwin Sese whom I would later join as guest anchor of the long running radio boxing program, "Sport Lang" over DZSR Sports Radio 918, having his telephone lines burning with calls mostly urging Manny not to do it. I myself was harboring some doubts. David Diaz had similarities to Carlos Ortiz in that both were big, tough lightweights who had fought at light welterweights before scaling and settling down at lightweight. What more, he was a celebrated former amateur standout and US Olympian. 
David Diaz (L) connects at Erik Morales. In a previous defense, he roughed up and virtually bullied Erik Morales who was then fresh from pinning Pacquiao his first loss in years. The ringside commentator likened Diaz to a lightweight Oscar Bonavena, the Argentine heavyweight who troubled both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali back in the 70s. With his well built upper body and bullying style, Diaz certainly fitted the description. Diaz was a member of the 1996 US Olympic Team as a Light Welterweight. His results were wins over fan favorite Zab Judah (United States) twice within 8 days, and Jacobo Garcia (Virgin Islands) RSC 3 (0:33) but lost to Oktay Urkal (Germany) 6-14 Diaz had also earlier won the Chicago Golden Gloves four times and the National Golden Gloves three times (1993, 1994 and 1996 National Golden Gloves as light welterweight champion. Turning pro, Diaz accumulated an undefeated record of 26-0 before losing to then future junior welterweight titlist Kendall Holt by TKO in the 8th round. He defeated José Armando Santa Cruz for the interim WBC lightweight title on August 12, 2006. On February 20, 2007, Diaz was awarded the title when Joel Casamayor, the champion at the time, was stripped of the title for signing to fight a rematch against WBO champion Acelino Freitas rather than defend against him. Diaz defeated Mexican legend Erik Morales on August 4, 2007, by what some considered as controversial unanimous decision to defend the title. Like most others, I was therefore also keeping my fingers crossed that Manny would not go the way of Elorde (and Bert Somodio who prior to Elorde challenged and lost to American Joe "Old Bones" Brown, Ortiz predecessor) in trying to break through the physical and psychological barrier, the Pinoy jinx at 135 lbs. class. To be continued... Part 2 - Record of Futility at Lightweight The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.  |
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