?I am so happy because not only did I win tonight but my idol the Boston Celtics came to watch my fight tonight,? were the words spoken by newly crowned WBC Lightweight World Champion Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs).after he scored a 9th round knockout victory over defending champion David Diaz (34-2-1, 17 KOs). With the win Pacquiao now owns four world titles in four different weight classes. He also possesses a legitimate claim to the throne atop boxing?s mythical pound-for-pound list that was recently vacated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. when he retired from the sport.
This was Pacquiao?s first fight at lightweight after winning the world championship at junior lightweight in March against Juan Manuel Marquez. When asked how he felt at 135 pounds, Pacquiao answered, ?I am very comfortable at that weight. And, I feel stronger than 130 pounds. So, I think I am going to stay at 135 pounds or I can fight at 140.? Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach added that this was his fighter?s best performance of his career and that he looks great at 135 pounds. Roach added that Pacquiao did not have to starve himself to make the lightweight limit and that 135 pounds is his natural weight.
About the game plan for the fight, Roach explained, ?We knew David Diaz was a strong guy. If we landed the combinations with Manny?s speed we knew we would out-speed him, but if we stood there and traded with him we would give him a chance to win the fight. The thing was not to step straight back but to step off to the side and then to turn him into another combination. And, it worked perfectly. We worked really hard in the gym and I am so proud of Manny?s right hand tonight. In the last fight against Marquez we did not get a chance to use it enough and it has really come a long way. It was why we won the fight so easily tonight- the two hands. Diaz was looking for the left hand and the right hand was there all night long.?
When asked about a possible mega-showdown against light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao answered, ?Ricky Hatton is a good fighter and I can fight him.? Arum commented, ?as far as I know Ricky Hatton is scheduled to fight Paul Malignaggi this November. So Manny will fight to defend his lightweight title (in November) and if we are going to do a Ricky Hatton fight we will look to do it sometime next year.? With fan favorite Oscar de La Hoya scheduled to fight one last time in December before officially announcing his retirement, a Pacquiao-Hatton showdown in 2009 looms as the fight to determine the sport?s next most popular figure. Will it be the British Hatton or the Filipino Pacquiao that will replace De la Hoya as the sport?s most popular fighter? Hopefully, the dream match of 2009 will provide us the answer.
