Manny Pacquiao knocked out David Diaz in the ninth round to win their WBC lightweight championship contest in Las Vegas.
Filipino clinches fourth world title in as many weight divisions
Manny Pacquiao claimed a fourth world title in as many different weight divisions after knocking out David Diaz in the ninth round of their WBC lightweight championship contest in Las Vegas.
The Filipino has already won belts in the flyweight, super bantamweight and super featherweight categories and had far too much in his locker for an outclassed Diaz.
Pacquiao was the aggressor from the outset, throwing and landing more punches than his opponent who struggled to deal with his come-forward style.
Diaz quickly sustained a pronounced cut above his right eye and another across the bridge of his nose as Pacquiao caught him with some clean shots.
Despite the onslaught, the American battled on gamely but could make little impression as an attacking force as Pacquiao continued to tag him with a series of right hooks and jabs.
Eventually the end came in the ninth as the Filipino sneaked through a left that sent a bloodied Diaz tumbling to the canvas with referee Vic Drakulich calling off the contest before even counting to ten.
Pacquiao was pleased with his performance and admitted he thought the end might have come quicker.
"I feel much, much stronger and more powerful at 135," he declared. "This is where I plan to stay. I did real well. I was really surprised it wasn't stopped sooner."
For his part, Diaz conceded he had been well beaten and paid tribute to Pacquiao's hand-speed.
"It was his speed," he explained. "It was all his speed. I could see the punches perfectly, but he was just too fast.
"He boxed me more than I thought he was going to box. I said to (trainer) Freddie (Roach), 'It's the best I've ever seen him box.' Freddie said, 'Me too."
