MANILA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao won his fourth title by grasping World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight championship over Mexican-American David Diaz Sunday in Las Vegas, the United States, according to local media reports.
Pacquiao knocked out Diaz in the ninth round before a jampacked crowd at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in the U.S. casino city.
Pacquiao also became the first Asian to win four titles in four different divisions.
"I'm very surprised. You know, Diaz, I think he's the toughest opponent that I've had...and I'm very surprised that he kept a lot of strong punches and power punches," Pacquiao said in an interview with local TV network ABS-CBN News.
Pacquiao had earlier won the WBC super featherweight and flyweight belts and the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight crown. He also held Ring Magazine's super featherweight title.
Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao wins 4th world title....
Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao wins 4th world title
All eyes on Pacquiao as he sets to get fourth title
The whole country is expected to tune in on their TV and radio sets, flock to cinemas and public viewing centers as well as to their computers through the Internet to watch or listen to Manny Pacquiao slug it out with WBC lightweight king David Diaz Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
Pacquiao will try to win a fourth title -- a fifth if you'll count his "People's Champion" belt -- a feat no Asian has done before in different divisions.
For several hours on a usually laidback day, streets are expected to be deserted as local boxing fans temporarily set their Sunday chores aside to watch the fight. The crime rate is also expected to go down since even thieves and robbers take time off from their activities to see the bout.
All eyes on Pacquiao as he sets to get fourth title....
Vince McMahon, WWE
Tribune newspapers
Perhaps Vince McMahon should consider staying home the next time there is a draft on Raw. On last year's draft episode, McMahon's limo exploded into flames seconds after he got into it, kicking off the "Who Blew Up Vince McMahon" story line that was scrapped after a couple weeks in the wake of the Benoit tragedy.
Last night, the three-hour Raw draft special concluded with McMahon being taken out on a stretcher after part of the set collapsed on him. To show that it was "real," Triple H, John Cena and Edge all broke character and tried to come to McMahon's aid. When McMahon regained consciousness, he called out for "Paul," which is his son-in-law Triple H's real name.
Vince McMahon, WWE....
Heavyweight boxer Chris Arreola stays unbeaten
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Chris Arreola of Riverside defeated Chazz Witherspoon in a battle of undefeated heavyweights when Witherspoon was disqualified at the end of the third round in Memphis, Tenn., on Saturday night.
Arreola (24-0, 21 knockouts) pounded Witherspoon late in the third round, knocking him down after three left hands to the head.
Witherspoon, of Paulsboro, N.J., stumbled to his feet as the bell rang, but a member of Witherspoon's corner entered the ring before the end of the mandatory eight-count, causing the disqualification.
Witherspoon (23-1) was in trouble anyway, but the decision by referee Randy Phillips ended the fight.
"They can't get up on the apron," Phillips said of the cornermen. "That ends the fight right there."
Heavyweight boxer Chris Arreola stays unbeaten....
Motor-mouthed Miranda still talking a big fight
By George Kimball
During his playing days, Ilie Nastase, the Romanian tennis star of the 1970s, owned a world-class mouth, and at one time held the ATP record for most fines incurred by one player.
"Ilie speaks seven languages," his wife once said. "Why does he always have to curse in English?"
Edison Miranda's interpreters could probably do him a big favor by deliberately mistranslating some of his more inflammatory remarks.
His own matchmaker, Jim Borzell, who's known the talented Colombian since his arrival in the United States three years ago, describes Pantera as "a true puzzle."
"He's the nicest guy in the world, but before a fight he can be a complete twit, the way he shoots off his mouth," said the veteran matchmaker.
You'd have thought Miranda might have learned his lesson 13 months ago in Memphis.
Motor-mouthed Miranda still talking a big fight
Pavlik stops Lockett on TKO in 3rd round
Canwest News Service; Sports Ticker
Gary Lockett was no match whatsoever for Kelly Pavlik. Making his first defence of his WBC and WBO middleweight titles last night, Pavlik scored a technical knockout of Lockett at 1:40 of the third round at Boardwalk Hall. Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs) knocked down the Welshman twice in the second round before sending Lockett (30-2) to the canvas again in the third. Upon returning to his feet, Lockett watched as his corner threw in the towel, ending it before the challenger suffered any more serious damage.
© The Gazette (Montreal) 2008
Holmes moved to tears by induction in boxing hall
By WILLIAM KATES
CANASTOTA, N.Y. (AP) — With a precise, powerful left jab, Larry Holmes reigned as heavyweight champion for more than seven years, successfully defending his crown 20 times — the second longest title run in heavyweight history.
But on Sunday, the "Easton Assassin" needed a moment to compose himself before accepting his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame along with 11 other champions and ring personalities.
"I'm sorry. I'm choked up a little bit. Why not?" Holmes said, receiving a sustained ovation from the crowd of nearly 1,000.
"When you get to this point, when people come out to salute you like this ... it makes you want to cry. So if I cry, cry with me because I feel good," said Holmes.
STORY....
Mayweather Jr. retires, cancels rematch with De La Hoya
By Dan Rafael
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Pound-for-pound king and welterweight world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced his retirement from boxing Friday.
"It is with a heavy heart that I write you this message today," Mayweather, 31, said in a statement. "I have decided to permanently retire from boxing. This decision was not an easy one for me to make, as boxing is all I have done since I was a child. However, these past few years have been extremely difficult for me to find the desire and joy to continue in the sport."
The retirement means that Mayweather's scheduled Sept. 20 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya is off.
"I have been informed of Floyd's decision and I wish him good luck," Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com. "I wish him good luck in his retirement. We will move on. Sometime next week I will announce a big fight for Oscar. There are different names out there and I will be working diligently to announce in the coming days Oscar's next fight."
MORE....
Big fight preview - Lockett can beat Pavlik
by Clayton Jones
In the build up to Gary Lockett's WBC/WBO world middleweight title clash against Kelly Pavlik this Saturday, it appears the Welshman has been firmly installed as the underdog. Some more blunt observers have gone further by questioning his right to share the ring with the fearsome punching American, adding that he stands absolutely no chance of victory.
Given Pavlik's recent run of form and the fact that the contest will take place on the champion's home turf in the Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, such comments are justified to a certain extent. That said, I see no reason to write off Lockett so prematurely. Sure, following an impressive back from the brink win over Edison Miranda (TKO7) and back to back victories over Jermain Taylor (TKO7 and W12), the Youngstown native is on a roll and must be considered the clear favourite.
However, due to his mechanical, come-forward style, he also showed in those fights that he was susceptible to being hit and badly hurt by other big punchers – and the challenger is certainly one of those. Admittedly, Pavlik (33-0 29 KOs), has displayed Felix Trinidad like recuperative powers in the past, but Lockett possesses the kind of firepower that enables him to seal an opponents fate with a single concussive blow. That alone, surely makes him a genuine threat.
STORY....
Kimbo Slice vs James Thompson
Kimbo Slice vs James Thompson Round 1
Kimbo Slice vs James Thompson Round 2
Kimbo Slice vs James Thompson Round 3
Ending in Main Event Raises Fans’ Suspicions
By JOSHUA ROBINSON
More than 8,000 fans headed to Prudential Center in Newark on Saturday to witness a milestone for mixed martial arts: a series of fights shown on live network television in prime time.
What they got was a controversial stoppage by the referee Dan Miragliotta in the main event, a decision that handed the wildly popular Kimbo Slice a victory in a fight he was losing.
Boos filled the arena. At the time, 38 seconds into the third of three scheduled rounds, two of the three judges’ scorecards had Slice down on points to James Thompson. The third judge split the first two rounds. Almost immediately, the sport’s fans made their opinions and suspicions heard on the Internet.
MORE....
