411's Pacquiao vs. Diaz Report 06.28.08

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 06.28.2008

Get the full results from tonight's "Lethal Combination" PPV!



Welcome back everyone to our live update blog as tonight, 3-division and current junior lightweight champ Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KOs) makes the jump to lightweight to take on WBC lightweight champ David Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs) in the main event of the Lethal Combination PPV from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Remember to refresh every few minutes to get our updates for every round. Check out the card below and enjoy the fights!

Full card:

David Diaz vs Manny Pacquiao (WBC lightweight championship)
Steven Luevano vs Mario Santiago (WBO featherweight championship)
Humberto Soto vs Francisco Lorenzo (super featherweight)
Tye Fields vs Monte Barrett (heavyweight)

[The scores are unofficial and are only from my own scorecard.]

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6:06PM: Looks like we have Luevano vs. Santiago in our first fight of the night. Not a bad way to kick off the card as it's a good mix of styles.

Steven Luevano (35-1, 15 KOs) vs. Mario Santiago (19-1, 14 KOs)
12 Rounds - WBO Featherweight Championship

Round 1: Both fighters come out looking to establish their long jabs. We have a southpaw against a southpaw tonight. The jabs are landing on both sides but no one has been able to land a straight left just yet. Now we see some hooks starting to flow and both fighters are connecting. An even round so far as they're matching each other in punch output. Tough round to call but Luevano was a bit more accurate, so I'll give him the round; 10-9.
10-9 Luevano

Round 2: They trade from the start and OHH! Luevano is caught with a straight left and down goes Luevano! He gets up and seems ok but he's not happy about it. Luevano goes on the attack and a straight left lands and down goes Santiago!! Whoa talk about a big round here. Santiago gets up and he's ok...two flash knockdowns. Good stuff. Now they resume the action and are calmly on the attack. Luevano is digging to the body and looking to land straight lefts again. I expected a pretty good scrap but I didn't think it'd be this good. Excellent round. This would have been 10-8 for Santiago but after getting knocked down himself and Luevano finishing stronger, it becomes 10-9 for Luevano.
20-18 Luevano

Round 3: They both go back to the jab again but the punches are coming harder and quicker. Luevano looks to mix in some uppercuts now while Santiago tries to hook with his right. A good left lands for Luevano and he's thinking knockout. Oh and another straight left to the chin of Santiago and he better start moving his head a little better as Luevano is landing more cleanly. Good round for the champion Luevano who wins this one 10-9.
30-27 Luevano

Round 4: A good start to the round as hook after hook is flying in both directions. Santago eats a right hook but takes it well. Time is called as Luevano's mouthpiece hits the ground. Ok here we go back to the action. Santiago goes back to landing some snappy jabs but misses with a winging uppercut. a trio of body shots land for Luevano but not as cleanly. A few missed jabs from both guys and now a straight left lands for Santiago. An uppercut lands for Luevano and they swing away to end the 4th. Luevano takes this one 10-9 again on my scorecard.
40-36 Luevano

Round 5: A good left lands across the top for Luevano early in the round. Now with Santiago along the ropes, Luevano smashes away but Santiago comes back with a big uppercut and Luevano has to hold on! The Puerto Rican Santiago is taking more chances but is eatin gmore punches. Uppercuts like that though can change the fight in a second. Now a solid left lands for Santiago. Luevano seems to have slowed down a bit in this round and Santiago lands a pair of body shots and he catches Luevano with a winging left hand. Oh and Luevano is hurt! He's eating a salad worth of punches along the ropes instead of looking to hold on. What a fight! Luevano loses his mouthpiece and they stop the action for a couple of seconds. Big round for Santiago who easily wins 10-9, his first round of the fight on my card.
49-46 Luevano

Round 6: A good right hook lands for Santiago to kick things off in the 6th. Now Santiago works off the jab and goes to the body. Another straight left lands for Santiago. Though Luevano is leading on the cards, he needs to watch for those lefts that are landing more frequently. Now Luevano has a bloody nose, possibly from those lefts. A big left lands for Santiago and Luevano lands his own but Santiago is having more success on the inside and the round is over. Another good round for Santiago; 10-9 Santiago.
58-56 Luevano

Round 7: They get into an ealy clinch and they unload uppercut-bodyshots while holding on. And now another straight left lands for Santiago and Luevano answers back with a hook of his own. I still think that Luevano needs to begin avoiding those straight lefts before they accumulate and he ends up on the canvas again. They trade jabs again but Santiago looks the fresher of the two right now. Not much going on in the 7th but Santiago looks better winning 10-9.
67-66 Luevano

Round 8: We get some early clinching from Luevano and now he gets on his horse and tries to jab his way around the ring. A big hook misses for Luevano and another straight lands for Santiago. He might as well just keep thowing it as if it was his only punch. Now Luevano's head gets snapped back by a left. Steven is looking pretty tired right now and doesn't seem to have much pep in his punches. Santiago, still looks fresh as the tide of the fight is currently going his way. They trade hooks and ANOTHER straight left lands for Santiago, and another and another!! Big round for Mario Santiago who clearly has realized that the left will be there all night. Someone in Luevano's corner tell him to move his head already! I don't see this going 12 roudns right now. Easy round for Santiago; 10-9.
76-76 Even

Round 9: Luevano tries to go back to his jab again and a sharp left hand. Santiago is bouncing around and staying out of harm's way. Luevano, who's more of a counter puncher has been taken completely off of his game. There's still enough rounds for him to get back to fighting his style but things don't look good. Luevano takes a punch to the eye and he winces. Another jab and hook from Luevano and Santiago misses with a couple of lefts. Not sure if Santiago just decided to take the round off or if he's tiring also but he hasn't done much in terms of offense. Better round for Luevano who finally wins one in a while; 10-9. Good fight.
86-85 Luevano

Round 10: Ohhh and Santiago opens the round with a big left cross. He follows it up with a barrage of punches and Luevano is in trouble but hangs on. He seems to weather the short storm of Santiago and unloads a couple of body shots. Santiago is back on the attack again and he eats a couple of lefts for his troubles. Now Santiago again goes to work and has Luevano against the ropes. He tries to fire back but he's ta king some punches. Referee Tony weeks looks on...A body shot lands for Luevano and Santiago may have punched himself out! Santiago is holding on for dear life...he has tired hismelf out and now he eats a couple of punches. He has no legs with 30 seconds left in the round. Luevano trying to steal the round with Santiago looking like he wants ZERO from Luevano and he may have just given the round away. Terrible move by Santiago! I'm still going to give it to Santiago based off the amount of punishment he dished out early on but a slap in the wrist for running away with a minute to go. Blah! 10-9 Santiago.
95-95 Even (Someone needs to go for the gold now!)

Round 11: Championship rounds and someone better fight like a champion if they want the belt. Some early exchanges and Luevano's mouth piece falls not once, but TWICE! Good Lord. Santiago makes him pay with a quick left but he finds himself trapped along the ropes. Good left hand by Santiago but neither guy is looking for combinations now. Santiago is bo uncing around and talking. Hey, how bout you just punch? Luevano looks to land a jab and a straight left. Horrible action in this round, especially given that the fight is on the line. Luevano does just enough to earn the round 10-9.
105-104 Luevano

Let's see who wants it more now!

Round 12: They both try to fight but there's a lot of missed punches. I'm sure they have to be quite tired. Luevano is following Santiago around and he lands a clean left. Now we get some clinching and Santiago tries to fight going backwards. A good right then a left from Santiago. This round is up for grabs with a minute to go. Lueavno misses with a pair of lefts. A couple of quick uppercuts thrown by Luevano in the clinch. A good uppercut by Santiago and a straight left lands. Luevano hasn't really landed much in this round and the round is over. 10-9 Santiago in this round.

Final Score: 114-114 Even

Well I scored it a draw and really, I don't see either guy getting a clear win over the other. I wouldn't be surprised if Luevano maybe eeked out a 1-point decision only because he's the champ but really, a draw is only appropriate. No one deserved to win, but neither was a loser......now we await the scores.

The scores are read as 117-111 (Luevano) 115-113 (Santiago) and 114-114 even, and we have a draw! Well the decision is correct but 117-111 for Luevano? What the hell was that judge watching? Terrible! I'm glad no one got screwed from it though. A draw indeed.

And now its time for the big boys!

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Monte Barrett (33-6, 19 KOs) vs. Tye Fields (40-1, 36 KOs)
10 Rounds - Heavyweight Bout

Round 1: Fields goes right after Barrett and he doesn't let him breathe and HOLY COW!!!!! Barrett unloads on Fields and DOWN GOES FIELDS!! Fields tries to get up and it's OVER!! So much for the Tye Fields train! Another big heavyweight exposed! Barrett simply slipped a straight left and countered with his own big right hook. Fields was in big trouble and another pair of hooks and Fields went down like a ton of bricks. Ouch.

Winner by 1st round TKO, Monte Barrett

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7:15PM: Well two down and two to go with Soto vs. Lorenzo coming up next followed by tonight's main event. The crowd has begun to fill up the Mandalay Bay Events Center and the crowd goes wild as Pacquiao is shown getting his hands wrapped in his locker room. This next fight should be fun.

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Francisco Lorenzo (32-4, 14 KOs) vs. Humberto Soto (44-6-2, 28 KOs)
12 Rounds - Super Featherweight Bout

Round 1: Boy Soto looks so much bigger than Lorenzo but he's on his toes. Soto rips to the body but remains a bit on the slow side. An uppercut lands on the chin of Lorenzo who jumps in and lands a right hand over the top. Lorenzo wings a few haymakers but nothing lands. Now Lorenzo lands a right but takes a couple of hooks to the body and an uppercut. Solid round for the slow starting Soto; 10-9.
10-9 Soto

Round 2: Soto is looking to trade hooks and he's got Lorenzo in a bit of trouble. Lorenzo isn't exactly stunned yet but he's eating some big punches and he has to cover up. A right lands for Lorenzo and a hook almost lands on the chin. Lorenzo shoots a right to the body but he's just throwing one punch at a time while Soto puts together combinations to the head and body. I smell a knockout in a couple of rounds. 10-9 Soto.
20-18 Soto

(Manny Pacquiao is given instructions in his dressing room.)

Round 3: Soto now snaps some jabs but swallows a wild right hand. Lorenzo is trying though - I have to give him credit. He's not here to lay down by any means. Loernzo tries a couple of jabs and another right but he's missing mostly. He's a little resistant get in on the inside since Soto rips him when in close, but he also can't reach Soto from the outside. Ohhh and a headbutt as they both come in and Soto has a cut over hsi right eye. Now they open up and we have a slugfest momentarily. Lorenzo on teh attack now but Soto backs him up again with a combination. Lorenzo rips a hook in the clinch and the round is over. 10-9 for Soto.
30-27 Soto

Round 4: The two slug away in the center of the ring and both guys are landing some decent punches. The action now slows down and a had right hand lands by Soto. Lorenzo is getting like an octopus in there but he's trying to throw back. A bloody nose now accompanies Lorenzo and a huge right puts him down!! Lorenzo holds on and an uppercut lands and Soto goes to work...Joe Cortez looks to stop it but they keep fighting...OHHHH and what a left hook and Lorenzo's right eye is GUSHING!!!!!! Good Lord....Cortez says that Soto hit Lorenzo as he goes down a second time. Is it a foul? We try and find out but someone needs to get Lorenzo a towel STAT!

What's the damn decision Joe (Cortez)???? And where are the freakin' ringside doctors with gauze or a towel? Lorenzo is sitting there bleeding. Unbelievable!!!!

So Lorenzo is still on the canvas bleeding and he grabs a towel to wipe sweat off his forehead! You've got to be kidding me!! Joe, give the damn towel to Lorenzo...and finally Lorenzo gets to sit in his corner. Jeezus!

AND SOTO IS DISQUALIFIED!!!!!! Absolute bullshit as Soto was already about to earn a TKO as Cortez tried to stop it. Cortez says Soto hit Lorenzo on the back of the head while he was already down. The crowd booes the decision heavily. This is a travesty. The replay shows that a right hand grazed the top of Lorenzo's head when he was down. Whatever Cortez, shame on you!

Manny Steward is literally about to cry out of frustration. I feel you Manny! Disgusting stuff.

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7:54PM: And now with the final undercard bout wrapped up, it's time for the main event of the evening! I hope you guys are as excited as I am. Diaz, being the huge underdog should make for a good test for Pacquiao. Let's see who comes out on top. Good luck to both fighters!

8:00PM: National Anthem time.

8:05PM: Pacquiao makes his way out first as he's the challenger tonight. Manny looks all business and he kneels down in his corner to say a prayer.

8:07PM: Now Diaz makes his way out and he's being accompanied by Fernando Vargas. And now we get Michael Buffer for the particulars.

8:11PM: "LLLLLLLLLLLLLET'S GET RRRREADY TO RUMBBBBBBBBBBBBLE!!"

Enjoy the main event!
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Manny Pacquaio (46-3-2, 35 KOs) vs. David Diaz (34-1-1, 17 KOs)
12 Rounds - WBC Lightweight Championship

Round 1: Manny goes right to the body and lands a straight left. Manny is on his toes as usual and Diaz tries to get on the inside. Diaz lands a hook to teh body and a hook to the head. Manny answers back with an uppercut and a series of hooks. Pacquiao looks so much faster. Diaz goes right to the body again, whicih he'll need to do if he wants to slow Manny down tonight. Pacquiao lands a jab and a left. In and out, in and out by Pacquiao who sticks and moves. He's using his speed to his advantage right now. Diaz wings a few hooks but misses as Manny steps back. The crowd chants "MANNY MANNY". Manny throws a set of combinations but Diaz blocks them with a high guard. Diaz lands a jab but misses with a pair of right hooks. A 10-9 round for Pacquiao.
10-9 Pacquiao

Round 2: Manny goes with his uppercuts again and a body shot. Diaz looks to answer back but he's a tad slower. Manny lands a hard uppercut and they trade hooks. Diaz lands a solid hook but Manny tries to throw back. Diaz is blocking most of these punches though. It looks good as Manny throws punches in bunches but they're mostly hitting Diaz' gloves. Diaz now goes to the body but Manny ties him up and then throws an uppercut. Diaz seems bewildered by Manny's speed. A cut is opened on the right side of Diaz' hea! Manny goes to work and he's u nloading on Diaz even if they don't all land. Diaz tries to cover up and all he can do is defend himself. Manny is not leaving much room for offense for Diaz who has to keep covering up in light of Manny's assault.A hook lands for Pacquiao and another cut is visible on Diaz. Great great round for Pacquiao who wins 10-9. (The second cut is on the bridge of the nose)
20-18 Pacquiao

Round 3: Diaz throws a hook but Pacquiao counters with two right hooks. Geeze, Pacquiao is right in his face, swarming him when they get up close. A combination lands for Manny and another big hook lands. Diaz can't get any offense in. Another combination lands for Pacquiao who is eating Diaz for lunch so far. Three hooks for Manny but they're blocked by diaz. Now Diaz lands a straight left and he's following Manny around.Diaz slips two jabs and clinches. Manny hits to the body and then upstairs again as Diaz tries to land his own hooks. This is NOT looking good for David. Diaz lands a couple of body shots and the round is over. Another 10-9 for the Pac Man.
30-27 Pacquiao

Round 4: Pacquiao goes right after Diaz again and the fight is paused so that Diaz' cut can be looked at. Another cut over the right eye is on Diaz' face. I mentioned in our preview that I thought it could possibly be stopped on cuts...we shall see. Now Pacquiao is unleashing his entire arsenal on Diaz and this is a punishing display of Pacquiao at his best. Wow! Diaz lands a jab then eats a hook. Diaz is bleeding pretty badly now over that eye. Manny tells the ref to look a the cut and Diaz tells him to bring it on. Diaz attempts a double jab, but to no avail. This is brutal folks. Manny looks so quick and so strong. No way this goes 12 rounds. Pacquiao wins 10-9 and we're told the cut over the eye is from a butt. The replay shows that that's exactly what happened.
40-36 Pacquiao

Round 5: The "Filipino Hurricane" (You heard it here first!) swarms Diaz and he looks amazing in the ring. Manny looks ilke a natural at 135 pounds tonight and the speed which was supposed to be lacking tonight due to the increased weight is anything but. Manny pot shots Diaz and lands an uppercut. I haven't seen Diaz land anything of note in a while now. Pacquiao eats a hook and a jab but ducks out of the way of an overhand left. A body shot lands for Pacquiao and another overhand left. Diaz is a bloody mess! Diaz lands a uppercut body shot and then a hook. His two best punches so far. Diaz eats a hook and then lands a hard left on Pacquiao. Diaz is answering back finally but he's going to need some work in the corner. Manny takes another round. 10-9 for Pacquiao.
50-45 Pacquiao

Round 6: Here we go with round 6 and Diaz is already bleeding again after two punches. The ref takes a close look at it so Diaz better pick up the pace and post haste.A big left ladns for Pacquiao and Diaz tries to get in a pair of body shots. Manny has got his eyes set on that cut and he takes a jab for looking for too long. Diaz lands a pair of rights and misses with ah ook. Manny eats a jab and then lands two of his own and then a combination though some of thsoe were blocked. Now a big right hook lands for Manny! The referee halts the action and the doc looks at the cut. He says it's ok and they fight on. Diaz lands a rigiht hook to end the round. Another big round by Pac Man who wins 10-9.
60-54 Pacquiao

(Diaz tells his trainer that he's not being hurt but that his punches are too fast.)

Round 7: Diaz switches to orthodox momentarily but eats a hook. Diaz lands an uppercut and a body shot but Manny is unphased. They hit each other with hooks. Diaz tries to double up on his jab now and slips a few of Manny's punches. Diaz digs with two body shots and they clinch. Manny has slowed down just a bit in this round - at least enough for Diaz to do some punching for once. Manny lands a jab and a left cross. Diaz blocks a combination and the round is over. Better round for Diaz, but Manny is still in charge; 10-9 Manny.
70-63 Pacquiao

(Kudos for Diaz for still hanging in there and he's trying to fight back. The cut is being held up decently. Perhaps it can go the 12 rounds.)

Round 8: Diaz comes in but he's taking some uppercuts. Now his left eye is starting to swell up badly. It's pretty purple right now. Manny feints a jab and lands a hook. Diaz eats a left and that seemed to stun him. Diaz lands his own right and an uppercut but he's eating more punches. He is taking some big punches along the ropes now and Diaz is all heart but he can't keep taking this kind of punishment. Now Manny comes in again and bombards Diaz. Diaz taeks a few more bombs and this one may be over shortly folks. This is merciless! Diaz is on his toes and snaps a jab and a left. Diaz survives the round byt his corner needs to start thinking of throwing in the towel. There is no reason for Diaz to come out for the 9th..seriously! This is looking like Gatti-Mayweather. 10-8 Manny....it was that bad..
80-71 Pacquiao

Round 9:The action is a little slower here in the 9th and Manny mahybe is ta king a breather. As I say that, he lands a s traight left that momentarily wobbles Diaz and then another and another! Stop the fight! The fans are eating this up and suddenly a sneaking left hook rocks Diaz and DOWN HE GOES! Diaz falls on his face and the fight is OVER!! I feel bad for Diaz who's a great guy but this one should have been stopped about 3 rounds ago.

Winner by TKO and NEW WBC lightweight champion, Manny Pacquiao!

Boy, Diaz never saw that punch coming and it was lights out as soon as he got caught. Manny looked absolutely amazing tonight. Can he be stopped? We're told that the judges had it pretty much a landslide on the scorecards as well. Manny goes over and helps Diaz get up then celebrates in the corner, thanking his fans and raising his hands. Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao for becoming the first Filipino to win a world title in a 4th weight class.

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After the fight, Manny thanks all of his fans who came to see him tonight. Manny says they trained very hard on his speed and power and claims that he felt very comfortable at 135 pounds. He also thanks God for helping him win by knockout tonight. He said it's always tough fighting a southpaw but he was surprised that he was able to knock him out. Manny is asked about a possible fight with Marquez again or fighting Ricky Hatton at 140 pounds. Manny says that it's up to his promoter but that he's willing to fight anyone. He also says that he'll be ready to fight in November.

"That fucker was too fast!" - David Diaz

He said he was more worried about Pacquiao's power but tonight, it was the speed that was the biggest issue. Diaz joked that it felt like Freddie Roach was in there punching him too.

He says that he'll be back and praises Manny Pacquiao for his tremendous talent.

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Thanks again everyone for tuning in...you guys were great! We hope you enjoyed our live coverage of Pacquiao-Diaz and we'll see you next time!

Goodnight everybody!!