When Manny Pacquiao Busted His Opponent’s Face JJ

But the the last three punches were hard punches. Wow. >> This is the night Manny Pacquiao face planted a champion and left him bleeding on the canvas. >> for the counter punch >> But he’s well on his toes on the outside and not really fight >> Yeah, man. Yeah, he don’t want to be there. Yeah, he’s scared. >> He has to do much of that.

>> for the lightweight world title >> It lies in his capacity just to make the fight so grueling for Manny. >> Yeah. >> See just what he’s doing now? >> Right. >> It was June 28th, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Pacquiao was moving up in weight to challenge for the WBC lightweight title, a division nobody was sure his speed and power would even translate to.

David Diaz was the reigning champion, a gritty, durable fighter who’d won the belt by beating Pacquiao’s old rival, Erik Morales. Almost immediately, everyone’s doubts about Pacquiao at this new weight were answered. >> beating the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, Manny Pacquiao. [cheering] >> Scheduled for 12, both fighters in white trunks, but I think you know the difference.

>> [laughter] >> apart >> No. >> Crowd chanting Manny, Manny, Manny [cheering] as we expected. >> And while I dug in and we’re talking about the development of Manny Pacquiao over the years and what he was able to do against one of the great fighters >> Juan Manuel Marquez >> You saw him counter punching, you saw his defense, you saw him boxing.

>> And we >> the further development of Diaz. >> You know, all that being said though, Alan, I agree 100%, you know, that he did >> People who saw that fight 25 will tell you Marquez won. >> It was a tough fight. >> It was a split decision. >> [cheering] >> I I thought it was a draw. >> I thought I thought it was a draw just like the first fight.

>> Didn’t we have it a draw, Larry? >> I think I I don’t recall. I think I might have had Marquez a point ahead. But he may have seen his best days already. >> They say, walking into the ring carrying 147 lbs, a far cry from when he started as a 108 pounder. >> A hard 12 round fight. A lot of wars. >> It’s a long 29 years, no doubt.

>> 24 rounds with Juan Manuel Marquez, and that first 12 rounder with Eric Morales. That kind of That’s the kind of wear and tear that eventually takes it out of a fighter. >> right. So, at some night, those bills come due. Now, whether it’s tonight, I don’t know. If he’s the guy that can collect on that bill, I don’t know.

>> Right now, Pacquiao’s winning this round. >> Well, the crowd, if you listen, will react to anything Manny does, >> [cheering] >> but the punches he’s throwing land effectively. But, he is showing superior speed in this round, and Diaz probably knew that coming in. He’s faster than him.

Everybody gets off first against Diaz in the first two rounds. >> You’re so right. I mean, it’s not easy to be David Diaz, cuz every one of your fights, no matter who you’re fighting, you’re going to battle back late when you’re tired. He goes in knowing that. >> He’s just covering up now while Manny goes on the attack. Run. >> [cheering] >> Well, it’s hard to figure a lot of times what’s in the head of Manny Pacquiao.

>> Round one, and every doubt about Pacquiao’s power at this new weight was already looking foolish. >> And you heard Freddy, “Don’t get in there and go toe-to-toe. Get in and out, in and out. Land your combinations and get out.” >> But, he also doesn’t want Manny to allow David Diaz to rough him up, but he may not have a choice.

>> Exactly. >> [cheering] >> Now, David Diaz is an absolutely artless fighter. I don’t think there’s any You know, so was Rocky Marciano. >> Frankly, I didn’t think Manny overpowered the guy he was in against with the shoulders and the body. >> He’s not fighting a natural featherweight. He’s fighting a definitely a natural but that weight differential may not show itself in the early rounds.

> It was a good left by Diaz, yeah. >> Definitely fact Manny folks haven’t noticed Manny comes across with a top left hand right over the top and then there’s some uppercuts. Manny looking like Ali, isn’t he? Pick out the gloves. >> [cheering] >> Ali got >> [cheering] >> He has cut on the ear or above the ear.

>> I wouldn’t be surprised if he was. >> Right here. >> Blood in his hair. He’s got blood in his hair. >> Yeah, it’s high. It’s it’s >> A lot of speed to contend with here. Diaz having trouble with Manny’s speed and Manny doing what Freddy Roach wanted him to do. Oh, uppercut also. Left hand Diaz on a counterpunch.

It’s streaming down the from the scalp line of Diaz. >> I’ll tell you what, Manny’s fighting like a bigger man right now. >> Very well. >> big enough. Manny’s showing Diaz right now, yeah I am big enough. >> You’re absolutely >> And I’m faster than you are. >> If he starts to work the opposite thing on Diaz, this fight is over in a hurry.

Diaz on the inside. >> [cheering] >> Final 10 seconds of round number two. >> By round two, Diaz’s face was already cut open and bleeding. He had seven rounds left to survive. >> Well, the champion probably finds himself in a hole after the first couple of rounds here. Yeah. Superior speed and landing but >> [cheering] >> Diaz was never going to out-style him anyway.

>> Yeah, but you know that the damage [cheering] is being done early, earlier than I thought and places that I can see. He’s slicing him up. >> [cheering] >> We’re seeing the improved Manny Pacquiao. We’re seeing that right hook. He’s leading with it. Lot Lot more in the way of head and upper body movement from Manny Pacquiao.

Not as easy to hit as he once was. >> He keeps this very torrid pace in the ring and that’s why people love him. That left hand hurt, guys. >> [cheering] >> You know what what Diaz is doing now? He’s standing right in front of Manny. He’s not coming forward, but Manny’s not allowing him because of the footwork.

>> That’s correct. I mean, Diaz is on top of this guy, smother him, overwhelm him. Diaz would actually do that because he’s getting hit with everything. >> Diaz wants to force the other guy back on his heels, but it’s >> What we see so far in the first seven is seeing here is how comfortable Manny is at the weight.

>> He He looks very good. So relaxed in there right now. >> He’s just comfortable. >> But you know what? Diaz is unable to impose himself physically on Manny. So, what does he have to be stressed out about? >> I agree. So far, anyway. >> Well, >> and we saw that against Santa Cruz. >> Yeah, Santa Cruz, the younger, bigger, stronger fighter, wasn’t just outworking him, outpointing him for 9 rounds.

>> Absolutely. >> Is he cut under the eye now? >> I think he’s cut. >> It may be coming from the bridge of the nose. >> Well, the hand speed is what’s ripping him. >> That’s what’s so Manny’s hand speed is so impressive. But Manny’s doing a great job. >> him. >> A lot of A lot of fighters find it hard to jab against a southpaw.

One of the questions coming in here is, you know, how many notable southpaws has Manny Pacquiao faced? Well, really nobody, but he’s doing a good job against Diaz. >> This guy’s a long way to go in this fight with that face turning redder and redder. >> Doug, I just want to add something to the right-handed fighters here.

You know, it’s a rarity to them, too. >> Yeah, they they have trouble with southpaws. Diaz, however, is not one of those southpaw counters. >> Another lightning fast ground. Diaz trying to come on in the end there. >> Diaz kept marching forward anyway. Whatever else could be said about him, he was not a man who knew how to quit.

>> Round four. Champion Diaz with the white gloves. The challenger Pacquiao with the Pacquiao tried to make Philippine history. Filipino ever win a lightweight world title. >> Let’s remember a couple of things. We’ve already mentioned that Diaz has a tendency and he’s bleeding badly now. The longer this fight goes on.

The other thing is Manny faded somewhat against Marquez late in the fight. >> Two very good points but he just That nose is getting >> That was a better point. >> That was a >> [cheering] >> big straight left from Manny Pacquiao landed on to David. >> Now David’s stepping up the intensity now >> going to take a look at the eye now.

The building won’t be left standing. >> No, but if they stop it, it’ll be a TKO. >> And let the And it’s amazing that Well, we saw how swollen his eye got in that Oh my goodness, he took >> Diaz Yeah, he might be wobbled a little bit by that big left hand. Took a step back. >> [cheering] >> He’s got to let his hands go.

Can’t just cover up in there. >> It is a dominating performance. Manny Pacquiao. The full package, folks. >> [cheering] >> Up to this point in the fight, if you want to see what it takes to have a >> the world pound-for-pound right now. >> what? He really left it open for Manny and I got to say Manny has really done his part to step through the door.

>> And the great thing about Pacquiao, he’s got all the talent and skill in the world. >> Absolutely. >> He’s exciting to watch, which you couldn’t say about Mayweather all the >> Oh, that landed. That almost sounded like the jaw cracked from over here, guys. >> It’s a counter. So bad. >> His only chance, dog, I think it lies in his tenacity.

Just to make the fight so grueling for Manny. [cheering] >> Yeah. Do just what he’s doing now. >> Right. >> Get in, rush him, and work >> game, dude. I’m not out-gamed. I out-skilled, out-speeded in that fight as well. >> [cheering] >> His tenacity kept >> Round four, and the pattern was already set. Pacquiao dictating everything. Diaz absorbing everything.

>> Round five, as David Diaz is face up like that, folks, is speed and leather. He might Bradley bruise. Of course, we saw the bruising he suffered against Morales when he fought with one eye. But his hope right now, as Wally said, is just tenacity. >> You know, say this, and I don’t in any way mean to fight. >> Yeah.

>> Joe Walcott. >> Yeah. >> You know, sometimes the guy that just will not quit is the guy who wins. >> Oh, he just caught a right hand. >> Rock. I mean, his nose was split in half against >> Absolutely right. >> Um I don’t know if that would be the case with David Diaz. >> Does that mean we’ve gotten more blemish? >> We’re not civilized.

>> They’re not fighting 15 rounds. Round five. That was not as >> That one That one was. That one was. >> And that was a little premature celebration. >> Yeah, but the the last three punches were hard punches. >> Wow. >> You know, he’s >> all out. I mean, the way he’s punching, he can keep this pace up for 12 rounds.

>> So, he’s fighting at his own pace. You know what? Diaz is not making him do anything. >> amazing in there. Much more poised. >> I really don’t. Because they’re going to have to take a look at it. He’s just getting chopped to pieces. I mean, I know it’s almost silly to >> I I don’t think Ali ever hit with >> from Manila.

>> Yeah, so there you go. Look at the blood. >> This is target practice right now. >> Draculas is looking in the referee to see what the damage is being done. David Diaz has his eye. >> In the ninth or 10th round, not in the fifth round. >> No, he’s on the accelerated program right now. >> [cheering] >> You know who never >> Halfway through the fight and every judge had Pacquiao winning every single round.

>> They were quite faced with the patchwork going by Manny Pacquiao against the world champion David Diaz. >> I would say Pacquiao is against David Diaz. >> But they have no chance of stopping that cut. >> Freddie Roach told me at his camp a couple of weeks ago that it was very close to Manny going And they came and he was in New York and he made his way west through Vegas and wound up at the Wild Card Gym.

They went in. Freddie worked with the pads and they said, “Freddie, round six.” >> There’s that cut again. No, it’s just deep in his face, and not into his eyes. >> Stop. >> No. >> And he doesn’t sound deterred at all in between rounds. >> One thing I don’t think they did expect though is that they’re not really having slowing this guy down, they’re not tiring him.

>> They’re not putting in the work to really come up and Diaz is just not able to mount a sustained attack. Because of punches like that. >> Yeah, he he can’t he just cannot get past [cheering] him. They do things for a reason and they don’t do things for a reason. If David Diaz is not And hit The reason is Manny Pacquiao.

>> Manny Pacquiao is not walking on him without severely being punished for it. >> Absolutely. >> So, we’re seeing David Diaz around on his toes on the outside and not really fight. >> He actually landed a pretty good right hand there, but I don’t think it had the kind of effect he expected it to have. >> He’s going to have to follow up on punches like that.

Manny’s not letting him do it. >> He can’t Manny’s keeping him too busy. Too busy playing defense. >> [cheering] >> A beautiful suit to do. Manny keeps him at bay with his fists. They’re going to take >> like I am, but I wasn’t old enough to see Henry Armstrong, but I >> Armstrong, a frenetic fighter, boundless energy, he could box a little bit.

>> By round six, this had stopped being a competitive fight. It had become a question of how much longer Diaz could take it. >> Round [bell] seven, the domination tonight by Manny Pacquiao. We’ll see if it >> And I heard him say it’s it’s it’s not the punches, it’s >> But you have to admire his >> [cheering] >> It also was that he’s been fighting a guy that’s a bigger guy like this.

I think it would be a mistake for Manny to try to blow out a guy like David Diaz. He doesn’t have had more of a chance to mount some kind of a a counter >> too senseless way for Manny to fight because you’re giving him the fight. >> Yeah, he could run into a punch. >> [cheering] >> Good body shot here from Diaz.

>> And Manny >> Diaz never stops trying. >> No, he doesn’t. >> He you know, he’ll he’ll land a single shot and it’s a solid shot. He just can’t follow >> So far, anyway. >> [cheering] >> In the seventh round and you remember >> He slowed down a little bit on the >> He was bound to slow down a little bit. I mean, he he’s really set a hell of a pace in this fight.

>> So, you think it’s Diaz is uh >> He’s having trouble >> taking his foot off the gas pedal. >> Still right. >> I think so, too. >> [cheering] >> That was Diaz’s best round and he’s >> Round seven, and Diaz was still standing, still coming forward, still absorbing punishment most fighters would have gone down from already.

>> Under Under If after seven rounds, Diaz cannot [cheering] win this via knockout. That’s what I’m saying on the card Diaz can knock out. I agree with you. Now there’s blood coming from the left nostril. Manny is with single power shots in this round. He’s got to soften up a little bit. I didn’t see it in round seven.

Diaz might be sensing that Manny is up a little bit and maybe Manny is stifling that landing. You’re right. Diaz may have realized that. Let’s nip this in the bud before this guy gets hurt. Yeah, yeah, curb your enthusiasm Diaz. I’m still the man. He may not be softened up but he’s certainly mushy and in a protective mode now.

Yeah, he’s He doesn’t do much of that man. Yeah, he don’t want to be there. He doesn’t do much It’s having an effect. >> [cheering] >> Visions of problems for David. Yeah, the blood is now dripping into the eye. Both eyes. And you know when you you rip I I think you have to take the history of the fight. Absolutely.

That’s You got to know who’s in there with you. Fairly close at the face of David Diaz. Guys, he’s in a survival mode right now. That’s all it is. He does not want to go down. >> [cheering] >> But he might He needs to do something. He’s got to make his man bolder. And possibly he’s doing a great job but he’s not.

Yeah, I don’t think that’s part of his his arsenal. I really don’t. I don’t think there’s any kind of guile or artifice in the way this guy does it. He’s an honest man. He’s an honest fighter. Words, he’s doing what he has to do right now. Knocked out. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, he could could have said goodnight but it missed over the top of Diaz.

>> [cheering] >> By round eight, blood had soaked through both men’s trunks. One round remained before it ended for good. >> He’s pouring that stuff in. >> Nine. >> Temporarily, but he’ll be bloodied up here pretty soon. >> Manny coming out with bad intentions in round nine. He just does not want to give Diaz any breathing room, nor should he.

>> Al, Manny has as much chance of stopping that card as I do of holding back Niagara Falls. >> And Diaz mounting a little desperation like, “Okay.” >> But Manny won’t even give him, you know, his one little moment there. >> No. And it was a >> Weren’t they both in white trunks? >> Yeah, they’re they’re they’re crimson now.

Diaz We’re in round nine. Champion is the bloodiest one in there. >> That’s not coming out in the dry cleaning, I I fear. >> No. Could be done. >> Same color. >> Same color. >> Ooh, good left by >> Left one in, and now he’s got a little pump. >> [cheering] >> Ooh, good left hand from Pacquiao. >> That staggered Diaz, who comes forward now.

>> Oh, left hand. >> [cheering] >> You know, we we refer to the Santa Cruz Santa Cruz. >> Manny Pacquiao is a full level above Santa Cruz. Pacquiao is a truly elite fighter. And that’s And he he had the dynamism to his punch, power and technique that Santa Cruz >> No, Diaz is never going to be that kind of fighter, but I mean, the thing is you know, we wondered whether Manny would be able to rise to the level, but he seems to be winning.

>> There it goes with the left hand. Fight is over. >> Fight’s over. Thank you. >> BIG [cheering] LEFT HAND. It came from not too far away. >> About 6 in. >> You just hope Diaz isn’t seriously hurt. >> That’s what [cheering] I was just getting to, guys. >> Pacquiao threw 788 punches that night. Diaz threw 463.

180 of Pacquiao’s power shots landed clean. But the full story of this fight isn’t just about what happened in the ring. Days earlier, a typhoon had torn through the Philippines. Over a million people displaced. More than a thousand feared dead. Before the fight, Pacquiao said this.

“It is so important for me to win because I have dedicated this fight to my countrymen, and it will make them happy if I win. After the fight, I will get back there and I will do something to help them.” This win made Pacquiao champion in a fifth weight division. It wouldn’t be his last. But few of his fights carried this much weight before the first bell even rang.