Pacquiao was world champion in 3 different weight divisions going into the fight; Flyweight, Super Bantamweight and Super Featherweight with notable victories over Chatchai Sasakul, Jorge Solis, Lehlo Ledwaba, Oscar Larios, Hector Velazquez, Jorge Eliecer Julio, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera (2x).
On the other hand, Diaz had beaten notable opponents such as Jose Armando Santa Cruz, Juan Polo-Perez, Emanuel Augustus, Erik Morales.
From the opening bell, Pacquiao dominated Diaz from pillar to post. Diaz showed his warrior’s heart throughout and managed to land body shots and lefts to the chin time after time but was clearly overwhelmed by Pacquiao’s relentless onslaught.
The grueling affair ended for Diaz in the 9th, via a destructive left hand. Referee Vic Drakulich waved off the fight immediately, with Diaz lying fast first on the canvas cut, bruised and bloodied.
To Diaz’s credit, he (in addition to showing great courage) managed to land a number of good body shots and a few lefts to the head despite being largely overwhelmed by Pacquiao’s relentless assault.
With this win, Pacquiao became the No. 1 P4P Fighter in the World at this time, replacing Floyd Mayweather Jr retired with an unbeaten record of 38(24)-0 (although he would come back a year later).
“A southpaw Jack Dempsey, in the Lightweight division!”
- Jim Lampley
Pacquiao became world champion in 4 different weight division with this win. From then on, Pacquiao would go on to become a legend in the sport and the only fighter to win world titles in 8 different weight classes; Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Super Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight and Light Middleweight
