Winner by KO in the ninth round, as predicted by Michael Marley on Boxingconfidential.com, Manny Pacquiao.
ROUND ONE: Pacman obviously carries the in ring weight (147 pounds) nicely. Difference in hand speed and foot speed is as expected but still remakrable. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND TWO: Jim Strickland tells David Diaz to relax and start sticking his jab. Solid left to chin by Diaz. But Pacman is throwing the more powerful punches although Diaz is bloxking most of them. Diaz’s cut along thec bridge of the nose and it is bleeding freely. Pace slows near bell ending round. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND THREE: Now Strickland, one of boxing’s best cutmen, gets to practice his specialty. He tells Diaz he is not throwing a stiff power type jab in this battle of lefthanders. In head to head exchanges, Pacman has the hand and power advantage as his hooks and uppercuts land with some authority. Pacman lands three and four punches before Diaz can land even one. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND FOUR: “OK, Manny, nice job!” Coach Roach tells his prized pupil in the corner. Manny Steward notes how Megamanny is mixing up his offensive arsenal to such great effect. Crowd at Mandalay Bay loving their hero’s display. Diaz now seems to be cut around right eye also. Pacman is using Diaz like a heavy bag in the gym. Blood streaming across right side of Diaz’s face as he must feel like Pacman has amazing Ginsu knives inside those gloves. Forgetting for a moment that Manny is a lefthander, he is looking like a lightweight Muhammad Ali. It’s all Pacman every minute of every round so far. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND FIVE: So far, this is Manny’s Greatest Hits album as he dazzles the world. Give Diaz all the credit for true grit but Megamanny makes him look like a sparring partner who forgot his headgear. Steward calls it “target practice” and it surely is. Blood again streams all over plucky Diuaz’s face. Diaz lands hard left hand in closing seconds. This one-sided beating cannot go much longer. Strickland tells Diaz he did “better” in that round. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND SIX: Roach tells Manny to lift Diaz up with uppercuts and Manny nods his assent. Have to wonder and now Lampley and Steward bring it up whether Strickland put too much on his plate by being chief second and also the cutman for Diaz. Vic Drakulich warns fighters to “watch your heads.” Pacman is looking to really zero in and load up with the power punches to end this mismatch. Ref has doctor look at Diaz and it sounds like he tells Drakulich “another round.” Not sure if I heard this correctly, though. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND SEVEN: Strickland tells his man he’s gpt tp get in closer. Strickland says “I’ve got to stop these cuts. The end is near as Pacman’s power and volume of punches is overwhelming. So far a shutout by Manny and one of his most brilliant outings. Now Diaz is just getting an old-fashioned beating and you have to think Diaz’s corner has to be considering throwing the white towel in. Why let the Chicago Kid keep taking this whipping, what’s the point? Diaz has more than earned his money and he has ZERO chance to win by KO. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND EIGHT: Strickland has nose and eye cuts under control but all it takes is for Pacquiao to start banging on Diaz’s face to make the bleeding continue. For the second time in corner, Diaz has told his guys that Pacman’s speed is just too much to overcome. Now HBO voices speculate that Darkulich could and should consider stepping into to wave the end. ROUND TO MANNY.
ROUND NINE: Cornerman Sam Colona, veteran boxing man, tells Diaz “they’re talking about stopping this fight.” Steward calling openly for stoppage of fight now. Lampley mentions that $800,000 purse will now allow Diaz to junk his 1991 Honda without air conditioning and buy a nice car. Diaz just getting knocked from pillar to post. Pacquiao explodes with a 1-2 and David Diaz is knocked out.
Spectacular victory for Manny Pacquiao! Mabuhay ka Manny!
And don’t forget Michael Marley and Boxingconfidential.com called it by a KO in nine.
I’m entitled to say it. I told you so!
