Manny ?The Pacman? Pacquiao, 47-3-2, 36 KO?s, won the WBC Lightweight Title with a dominant performance over defending champion, David Diaz, 34-2-1, 17 KO?s. It was not a surprise considering the difference in class, but Manny being the champion that he is, took out his overmatched opponent. From the first round on, it was apparent that Diaz was far too slow to compete and was getting peppered by the quick shots of the circling Filipino superstar. Diaz showed grit and determination and was a bloody mess and kept trying to win, but he just couldn?t find an answer.
As the rounds went on, the situation became more and more desperate for Diaz and he grew more and more weary, and began to receive more punishment, attracting the referee?s attention. In the ninth round, after a horrible beating, Diaz crumbled from an onslaught from the challenger. Manny Pacquiao now holds the WBC Lightweight Title and can challenge the bigger names in the division or perhaps, face Ricky Hatton in a superfight.
Super featherweight, Humberto Soto, 43-7-2, 27 KO?s, was well on his way to a victory as he beat Francisco Lorenzo, 33-4, 14 KO?s, when he fouled him while he was on his knee. The foul caused the disqualification of Soto, in a fight that he should have won.
Former title challenger, Monte Barrett, 34-6, 20 KO?s, destroyed Tye Fields, 40-2, 35 KO?s, in just 57 seconds. I had many reservations about this bout, but I?m happy to report that the fight was on the up and up, and the giant was exposed as a fraud, despite the attempts to cash in with him. Barrett, who has seen better days, was seen as a reasonable step up for Fields, but he just couldn?t handle a real fighter. Barrett may not be a great fighter but he knows how to fight and showed just how quickly a real fighter would take out Fields.
WBO Featherweight Champion Steven Luevano, 35-1-1, 15 KO?s, battled to a draw with Mario Santiago, 19-1-1, 14 KO?s.
