FILIPINO super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao scored a victory for the little man yesterday, advancing the argument that he is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world with an an eighth-round knockout of the previously undefeated Mexican Jorge Solis.
In defending his WBC title in Texas, the 58-kilogram Pacquiao improved his record to 44-3-2 with 34 knockouts.
Across the globe in Stuttgart, Germany, the 16-month reign of Russian heavyweight Nikolai Valuev — all 144.7 kilograms and 213 centimetres of him — finally ended at the hands of Uzbekistani Ruslan Chagaev. The challenger conceded 28 centimetres and 41 kilograms but still took the giant’s WBA crown in a points decision. Valuev, the 33-year-old “Beast from the East”, had gone into the contest within two wins of Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record.
Pacquiao, who is not only a national hero in his homeland but is also a candidate for Congress in national elections next month, sent Solis to the canvas, 40 seconds into the eighth round of a scheduled 12-round bout at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
A groggy Solis barely got back onto his feet, only to have “Pacman” floor him again with a devastating series of power punches that left the challenger unable to beat the count.
Pacquiao’s next fight is expected to be against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, the WBC super bantamweight champion.
Valuev — contesting his fourth defence since beating American John Ruiz in December 2005 — was convincingly beaten over 12 rounds by the 185 centimetre challenger. It was his first defeat after 46 wins and one no-result.
The scoring of 114-114, 115-113 and 117-111 by the three judges, although inconsistent, was a fair result as the new champ chalked his 23rd professional win.
“He deserved his victory, he picked a good strategy during the fight and he used it effectively,” Valuev said.
“There is no question that he is a worthy champion, but I will keep training and hope to make a comeback.”
This was a real David-Goliath contest but the powerful challenger landed telling punches and never allowed the champion to settle.
Valuev, seven-feet tall in the old measure, landed few punches and tired considerably in the later rounds.
