zatoicchi
29.06.08, 21:28
LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao made a statement with his fists on Saturday, battering David Diaz to claim the WBC lightweight title at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. But he also made a statement that could have larger implications for the sport and the safety of boxers.
Pacquiao could have made the super featherweight limit of 130 pounds again on Saturday if he had been forced to do so. But he listened to his body, moved up to a more sensible weight and put on arguably the best performance of his life.
It was no contest from the bout’s opening punch. Pacquiao was too quick and too strong and battered Diaz into submission before stopping him at 2:24 of the ninth with a crunching straight left hand.
Diaz crumbled face forward and lay at Pacquiao’s feet, a symbolic final scene of Pacquiao’s ultimate conquest.
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He was clearly the more gifted fighter, but choosing to move up five pounds and compete at 135 made a noticeable difference. Too many boxers attempt to squeeze every last ounce of weight from their body so they can fight in the lowest possible class. They do it in the belief that it will make them stronger at the lower weight, but it often dehydrates them and leaves them vulnerable to either lethargic performance or, worse, injury.
Pacquiao thrives at natural weight class - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AsVEAcpiY9QgFb0FljEu1JOUxLYF?slug=ki-pacman062808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)
Pacquiao could have made the super featherweight limit of 130 pounds again on Saturday if he had been forced to do so. But he listened to his body, moved up to a more sensible weight and put on arguably the best performance of his life.
It was no contest from the bout’s opening punch. Pacquiao was too quick and too strong and battered Diaz into submission before stopping him at 2:24 of the ninth with a crunching straight left hand.
Diaz crumbled face forward and lay at Pacquiao’s feet, a symbolic final scene of Pacquiao’s ultimate conquest.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was clearly the more gifted fighter, but choosing to move up five pounds and compete at 135 made a noticeable difference. Too many boxers attempt to squeeze every last ounce of weight from their body so they can fight in the lowest possible class. They do it in the belief that it will make them stronger at the lower weight, but it often dehydrates them and leaves them vulnerable to either lethargic performance or, worse, injury.
Pacquiao thrives at natural weight class - Boxing - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AsVEAcpiY9QgFb0FljEu1JOUxLYF?slug=ki-pacman062808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)