Sunday, June 30, 2008 The world’s best boxer By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
FILIPINO boxing superstar Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao showed that he is one of the best fighters in the world as he captured his fourth division title, the World Boxing Council lightweight crown, after demolishing “Dangerous” David Diaz in a ninth round knockout yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
For respected ALA boxing Gym head trainer Edito “Ala” Villlamor, the slugger Diaz was made to fit for Pacquiao’s style and never stood a chance against the Filipino who displayed an impressive performance from the start of their championship battle until the end, when Diaz hit the canvas face first after a powerful short left by the challenger that landed on his bloodied and bruised face.
“Diaz was made to order for Pacquiao. Pacquiao showed good style. He toyed with Diaz. He boxed at the center of the ring and didn’t give Diaz a chance to corner him,” said Villamor in an interview by Sun.Star Cebu.
On the other hand, Cebu City Council Committee on Sports, Amusement and Games Chairman and boxing aficionado Sylvan “Jack” Jackosalem, was astounded at how Pacquiao finished the fight and is a firm believer that the 29-year-old Gen. Santos City native deserves to be the top pound-for-pound pugilist with or without “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the sport of boxing.
“That was the fastest power left hook I have ever seen. Most didn’t even see it and thought that Diaz just collapsed Even if Mayweather didn’t retire ‘Pacman’ would still be pound for pound no.1 after this fight. And my Sun.Star published prediction missed by one round,” Jakosalem said in a text message to Sun.Star.
Total fighter
ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer feels that Pacquiao has evolved into a total fighter after his superb performance because not only did he retain his power in his killer left hand but also showed a lethal right jab and hook, which he used as his main arsenal all throughout the bout.
“That was one of Manny’s best performances. He is now a complete fighter. He has reached the part of his career that it’s hard to look for his weakness,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. “Manny is the complete package. He’s a fighter at a different level. That’s why he won a shut out over Diaz.”
Aldeguer thinks that Pacquiao has learned a lot through the years after his skirmishes with some of the best in the business, the likes of the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez.
“As time went by facing the best boxers, Manny’s style has improved a lot. He picks his punches very well,” said Aldeguer of Pacquiao’s show of punching power and accuracy.
After watching his outstanding performance Aldeguer said, “Manny is the best fighter in the world and he showed it today.”
Pacquiao also showed in that fight that he has no problems moving up to the lightweight division, a move that for some is a reversal of the trend where some fighters sacrifice a lot just to make the lowest weight possible, thinking they can have an advantage.
“In boxing, they’ve been doing it for years, trying to fight as low as possible, but this proves that that’s a mistake and that you should fight at a more natural weight,” Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach told Yahoo sports.
