LAS VEGAS—Manny Pacquiao had so many reasons to smile Saturday night (Sunday in Manila), he simply kept flashing satisfied grins everywhere.
And everybody could see the smile. Pacquiao’s face was virtually unmarked after knocking out David Diaz with 2:24 gone in the ninth round to claim the World Boxing Council lightweight crown.
Pacquiao was ecstatic foremost because he succeeded in making history as the first Asian to hold four world titles in four weight classes as well as the first Filipino to rule the 135-pound division.
And then there were the little things that made his day.
Like having the NBA world champion Boston Celtics as dugout guests, cheering “Manny, Manny!” after Pacquiao’s methodical punishment of Diaz. And having his picture taken with Kevin Garnett.
“A dream come true,” Pacquiao told a television reporter giddily.
“I’m his No. 1 fan. He’s huge,” said Kevin Garnett, ringleader of the Celtics’ Big Three of Ray Allen and Finals most valuable player Paul Pierce. Also in the dugout with the Celtics, who beat rival LA Lakers in six games for the NBA title a couple of weeks ago, were Rajon Rondo and Sam Cassell.
“I’m so lucky with this fantastic victory, ” said Pacquiao. “And I’m glad the Celtics were able to watch the fight.”
The main source of Pacquiao’s joy Saturday night was his stunning debut at the lightweight ranks—one where he silenced skeptics who questioned his ability to carry the additional weight load and absorb punches from natural 135-pounders.
“I feel stronger,” said Pacquiao, who overwhelmed Diaz with his speed and power.
“Diaz is strong. I’m so lucky,” added the Filipino ring icon, baring that Diaz hurt him only once in the bout he dominated from the start.
It was a vicious left hook, out of the 230 punches he landed, that ended Diaz’s night.
But it was a relentless barrage from the start that softened up the Chicago native, prompting multi-awarded trainer Freddie Roach to proclaim that Pacquiao flashed his best form ever.
“He brought a new dimension to his game,” said Roach. “It’s the best Manny yet. He’s great at 135.”
Pacquiao was methodical, leading off with his right jabs to set up his left hand and landing in flurries that left Diaz bloodied, gasping and wondering what hit him.
“I’m so proud of his right hand tonight,” said Roach. “And with his left just as active, we have two hands.”
More than that, Pacquiao stuck to his corner’s instructions, pulling back when his trainers coaxed him to and attacking when they asked for pressure.
“We saw a place where we could take out Diaz and he (Pacquiao) followed our game plan. Hit and get out.”
“He did as was told. He stepped to the side and threw combinations to throw Diaz off-balance.”
Diaz got cut below the right and left eyebrows and on the bridge of his nose during the bout that drew 8,362 paying patrons to Mandalay Bay’s Event Center here.
And the sight of Pacquiao unscathed and cracking jokes was a stark contrast to his appearance in the same room on March 15 when he bested Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez for the super featherweight crown.
There were, after all, even more reasons to be happy.
Pacquiao stood to receive $3 million in purse money, but that figure should balloon exponentially once the pay-per-view figures and gate receipts—of which he owns a tidy percentage—roll in.
