“Pac Man” Wins Fourth World Title, Soto DQ’ed
Luevano Draws and Barrett “Outgunz” Fields!
June 28th, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada: Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao, 47-3-2, 36 Ko’s was the quicker, stronger, faster, harder puncher beating David Diaz 34-2-1, 17 Ko’s taking the WBC Lightweight title Diaz had won from Jose Armando Santa Cruz in August 2006. In the battle of southpaws, Pacquiao was the aggressor from the opening bell landing in combination with both hands.
The beating got heavier and bloodier each round. First he bloodied Diaz nose, cut his eye and pounded him adding a swollen left eye. By round six Diaz was a bloody mess and the doctor wanted a look. “Pac Man” rocked Diaz in the seventh and eighth rounds banging the tough Mexican American (by way of Chicago) to the body and head.
In the ninth Diaz put all on the line coming forward opening up and scoring with a hard right hand. The two traded and a Pacquiao left hidden behind a jab floored the champion causing referee Vic Drakulich to stop the action at 2:24 round nine.
Pacquiao doubled Diaz punch output both jabs and power shots while firmly cementing himself at the top of the pound for pound list and winning his fourth world title.
In the semi main event the Interim WBC Super Featheweight Title bout Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto, 44-7-2, 28 Ko’s floored Francisco “El Ahogado” Lorenzo twice but added an extra shot after Lorenzo took a knee. The bloody Lorenzo stayed there while referee Joe Cortez consulted with the ringside officials before deciding to disqualify Soto at 2:43 round four. The WBC chose not to award Lorenzo the championship due to the bizarre ending of the fight.
In featherweight action Steve Luevano 35-1-1, 15 Ko’s rallied to come away with a draw against Evangelista Cotto’s, Mario “Principe Ponce” Santiago. The two fighters took turns banging away with both touching the canvas in the second round. Luevano came on the second half of the fight allowing him to hold onto his WBO featherweight title
In heavyweight action Monte 'Two Gunz' Barrett, 34-6, 20 Ko’s met 6'8" Tye “Big Sky”Fields, 41-2, 37 Ko’s. Fields came out the aggressor while Barrett patiently looked to counter. Fields walked into a Barrett counter right putting him on queer st. Barrett now opened up both guns driving Fields back and planting him on the deck with a perfect view of the “Big Sky.” The gallant Fields unsuccessfully attempted to beat the count and referee Kenny Bayless called it at 0:57 of the opening round. (click here for Barret Ko)
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Robert “The Ghost “ Guerrero on Pacquiano / Diaz!
June 26, 2008
By Lyle Fitzsimmons,
Contributing Boxing Editor SI.com
Want a prediction on a lightweight title fight involving Manny Pacquiao?
Robert Guerrero can't see it going past five rounds.
But rather than David Diaz doling out the punishment at Mandalay Bay this weekend, Guerrero says it'll be him -- wherever and whenever he's able to get the Filipino phenomenon into a ring.
"I'd knock him out in five rounds," the 25-year-old Californian said, in a Wednesday evening FitzHitz interview. "He hasn't fought a left-hander like me who can punch and break down his style piece by piece.
"No question, I think he's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He's beaten the best and he deserves all the credit he's been given. But I still think I'd get him out of there within five rounds."
Tough talk, but it's not as if Guerrero comes in completely without credentials.
A pro since 2001 and a two-time belt-holder at 126 pounds, the southpaw this week announced his intention to relinquish the IBF featherweight championship and move up in weight to pursue big fights at 130 and 135 -- or even 140. Read more..
Mario Serrano Publicist boxingpublicist@aol.com 408-607-5756
