MAKING HISTORY. Manny Pacquiao knocks out David Diaz in the ninth round to become the new World Boxing Council lightweight champion. Pacquiao has made history as the first Asian to win world titles in four different weight classes, and the first Filipino to become a lightweight champion. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
'THE THRILLA FROM MANILA.' David Diaz's face is a bloody mess in Round 5 of his World Boxing Council lightweight championship bout with Manny Pacquiao, whose hand speed was compared to the legendary heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali by the commentators. Pacquiao knocked out Diaz in the ninth round to win his fourth world title in as many weight classes and become the first Filipino lightweight champion. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
SURVIVAL MODE. David Diaz valiantly hung on in the eighth round and refused to go down despite being battered mercilessly by Manny Pacquiao. Diaz, however, was only delaying the inevitable as Pacquiao knocked him out in the next round to win the World Boxing Council lightweight championship. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
FIRST CUT. David Diaz, who was defending his World Boxing Council lightweight championship against Manny Pacquiao, suffers a cut in the second round. His face would become a bloody mess as the fight progressed due to multiple cuts. Pacquiao knocked out Diaz in the ninth round to become the new lightweight champion. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
CUT CHECKED. Referee Vic Drakulich separates Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz in Round 4 and asks the ring physician to check Diaz's cut. Pacquiao wrested the World Boxing Council lightweight crown from Diaz with a ninth round knockout. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
TIRELESS PACQUIAO. One thing that seemed to have caught David Diaz and his corner by surprise was the erstwhile World Boxing Council lightweight champion's inability to slow down Pacquiao. This clip from Round 6 gives an example of Pacquiao's relentless attacks that left Diaz unable to mount any sustained effort against the Filipino boxer. Video courtesy of Solar Sports.
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines connects with a right against a bloodied WBC Lightweight titleholder David Diaz of the United States at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on June 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao made history by becoming the first Asian to hold four titles at different weight divisions and the first Filipino to hold the Lightweight crown. AFP PHOTO
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao floors David Diaz at 2:24 of the ninth round to end the fight, giving the southpaw his fourth crown in as many weight divisions. Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs) used his quickness and superior boxing skills to dominate the bigger Diaz who suffered just the second loss of his career. AFP PHOTO
LAS VEGAS -- Manny Pacquiao knocks down David Diaz en route to winning the WBC Lightweight title. AFP PHOTO