Manny Pacquiao on Monday arrived to a warm welcome in his hometown General Santos City, as the city celebrated his victory. He went straight to a prepared motorcade and made the rounds in the city along with his relatives and local officials.
Pacquiao’s parents, Rosalio and Dionisia, joined the motorcade, as they clutched their son’s championship belts during the entire grand welcome for Gen. Santos City’s pride. Also accompanying the celebrated Pacquiao family aboard the motorcade was South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino Custodio, who beat the Filipino boxer in the May 2004 mid-term elections.
Manny Pacquiao arrives at Hometown General Santos City
photo credit: sports news (left to right) adidas managing director Joey Singian, NBA star Gilbert Arenas, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, Senator Richard Gordon. NBA star Gilbert Arenas hands over a Philippine team jacket to boxing icon Manny Pacquiao after they met during the Ateneo-La Salle encounter in the UAAP last Sunday. The Washington Wizards’ star guard left Tuesday after a four-day visit for the adidas Agent Zero Tour 2008 while the UAAP feted Pacquiao the league’s Sports Excellence Award.
NBA star Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards, who was at both the Eagles and Archers’ dugouts before the game. Arenas left during the second quarter. Pacquiao left at halftime receiving the Award for Sports Excellence by UAAP.
Pacquiao first visited the AFP headquarters to personally receive from AFP Chief Gen. Alexander Yano a command plaque recognizing Pacquiao's extraordinary feat of winning in four weight divisions following a knockout victory over American boxer David Diaz last June 29.
During the said visit, Pacquiao also took the time to deliver a speech before some 2,000 officers and men of the AFP, thanking all military men who took part in the rescue and relief operations for the families affected by Typhoon “Frank." Pacquiao Receives Plaque from Armed Forces of the Philippines
It was an one-sided but eventful display of Pacquiao prowess when he met David Diaz, peppered with a brilliant Pacquiao display, concluding in a merciful knockout punch.
From the Department of Environment and Natural Resources offices in Quezon City, where Pacquiao lunched the motorcade, he rolled down España and Quezon Avenue and on down Morayta, Nicanor Reyes Street, Recto, Lacson Street and Taft Avenue before through the Makati business district.
The 10-vehicle convoy took just an hour to reach Makati. From there, Pacquiao got off the float and jumped into his car as the convoy drove on to Pasig. During the motorcade, Pacquiao cheerfully waved at people, hoisting his championship belts one at a time for them to see. The biggest crowd, in the hundreds, seemed to have gathered in Sampaloc, where people erupted into cheers.
There, motorists stopped, office workers took breaks from their work, and residents stepped out of their homes to applaud Pacquiao. Men shouted his name while teenage girls shrieked. Others applauded from office windows.
Manny Pacquiao Motorcade after Victory over David Diaz
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo named this morning reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao as the country's special envoy to the 2008 Beijing Olympics set next month in the Chinese capital. The President made the announcement during the Filipino boxing icon’s courtesy call in Malacañang hours after he arrived in Manila early this morning from the United States.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that “Pacman” will carry the Philippine flag in the Beijing Olympics.
"It’s also an honor to carry the Philippine flag at the Olympics,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao Courtesy Call Philippines President at Macañang Palace
After a 16-hour trip from Los Angeles on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103, the boxing hero was back home to his three children who had not seen their father since May 12. Upon seeing his kids, Pacquiao immediately cradled his daughter and showered his sons with kisses to the excited applause of both members of the press and airport personnel.
“I thank all Filipinos who supported me and prayed for this victory. Don't worry, my hand is okay now,” Pacquiao said.
Aside from donating P3 million to the typhoon victims, Pacquiao said he was also planning a fund-raising concert for the victims as well as a telethon to generate more funds.
Manny Pacquiao arrives at Philippines Airport
Pinoy Records: Pacquiao arrives in the Philippines
Emmanuel Steward has trained some of the best boxers such as Tommy Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Leon Spinks, and Lennox Lewis. He is an HBO commentator and an inductee of the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.
Here are his top 5 pound for pound boxers: 1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Miguel Cotto
3. Joe Calzaghe
4. Juan Manuel Marquez
5. Kelly Pavlik
Emmanuel Steward: Manny Pacquiao is #1 Pound for Pound
Summary: Ed Picson thinks that by Manny's variety of punches and defense is what won the fight, and he was impressed Pacquiao's vast improvement. Ed attribute Manny's success to Pacquiao's training and newfound discipline. Ronnie Nathanielsz, on the other hand, said that the David Diaz bout was Pacquiao's best performance by far, a display of clinical execution at best. He also said that Manny retained his speed and power even while moving up in weight. Ronnie, a friend of Gabriel Flash Elorde, also states that Manny is the greatest Filipino boxer of all-time.
GMA News interviews Ed Tolentino
Summary: Ed Tolentino said that that jab, footwork, and sped is what clinch the win for Manny Pacquiao
There are many boxing analysts around, but the 13 years old Alden “The Kid” Chodash may very well be one of the youngest boxing aficionado in town. Alden is a member of The Boxing Writers Association Of America, host of FightFan.com's Alden Chodash Show and a regular contributor to FightFan.com, Cyberboxingzone.com, EastSideBoxing.com, among others. His weekly Alden "The Kid" Chodash Boxing Show at Youtube is filled with boxing analysis that is remarkable for his age.
He labelled Manny's performance against David Diaz as "spectacular." He believes that Manny is the best of the lightweight division, and is the boxing's #1 pound for pound. A fight with David Diaz is according to him would be easy fight for Manny.
Alden's boxing predictions and previous fight review can be seen at his website. The video below shows his review of the the 2nd fight of Pacquiao and Marquez.
Alden "The Kid" Chodash Boxing Analysis of Pacquiao vs David Diaz
This is a good downloadable version of the Pacquiao vs David Diaz 2008 Full Fight HBO PPV Video released on the Internet. The quality of this one is superb and as complete as you can possibly want (introduction, national anthem, the full fight, winner announcement, interview) The video is encoded in Xvid, so you need to download the Xvid Codec first before you can watch the video.
4. Open the file with your torrent program. If it doesn't open that way, just save the .Torrent file to an easy to locate place. Then open your torrent client and use the "Open Torrent" feature.
5. Download will start (Size: 550.32 MB).
How to decompress RAR archives
1) Install a program that will extract RAR archives (e.g. WinRAR).
2) Open your RAR program and locate folder where you are storing downloaded archives.
3) Double click on file with extension .rar. If there isn’t file with extension .rar, try one with extension .r01 or .001.
4) Press “Extract To” button or try ALT + E combination on your keyboard.
5) Select location, in which will be all files extracted. You can achieve this by typing location into “Destination Path” or by clicking through your drives. Press OK.
6) Wait until RAR program finish decompressing. You shouldn’t get any another messages if everything is OK. It’s possible that it will return you some error, for example missing file etc. You must re-download missing or corrupted archives if there are some of these errors.
For those who requested the Manny Pacquiao vs David Diaz 2008 Full Fight HBO PPV Video, here it is. The video includes the entire fight and the decision video. For those who wanted to watch the whole Lethal Combination fight but don't have the time to watch it in its entirety, the Pacquiao vs Diaz Result: Pacquiao Wins! 9th Round KO Video page is available (available also in slow motion version).
It was a show of sportsmanship and dignified athleticism of the highest order.
"I thought they could have stopped the fight sooner," Pacquiao said. "I asked the referee, and he told me, 'Go ahead and continue.' "
"I always think I have a chance," David Diaz said. "I always think I can pull it out. Sometimes I think I can do it to the point where I can almost see the shoreline. And then I went under."
The guts and bravery of David Diaz to admit he's beaten. It's a highest ideal in athletic competition when a foe truly understand - Diaz have given everything he has and simply lost to someone greater than him.
Pacquiao & Diaz Press Conference
Pacquiao vs Diaz Post-fight Press Conference Interview
The whole country was excited during the Pacquiao vs David Diaz fight, as houses, restaurants, malls, sport complex, and anywhere else that is capable of broadcasting the Manny Pacquiao vs David Diaz Result was filled with viewers. Pay per view subscription in local cable increased, as pay-per-view clients anticipated the much awaited fight. The demand was so high that people are willing to pay premium price just to see the fight. Global Destiny charged P800 and Skycable P1,500, was buzzing with customers. Living rooms, movie houses, public markets, and plazas across the country, was attuned to the radio and video broadcast of Pacquiao Diaz fight.
Just like in previous fights, virtually no crimes was reported during the fight, many streets were deserted, and even rebel groups watched the fight. There are more movie houses showing the fight than ever before.
The Lagao gymnasium with about 9,000-seating capacity was filled to the rafters. People from as far as South Cotabato and Sarangani came over just to watch the fight live.
In Cotabato City, Moro rebels took time out and found themselves in areas where the fight was shown. So did soldiers assigned in former battlefields in Central Mindanao. In Datu Odin Sinsuat, more than a dozen trucks hauled villagers to Cotabato City restaurants to watch the bout. In the two Lanao provinces, soldiers from the 103rd and 104th Brigades took a break to witness the fight on a wide-screen.
Even towns which are devastated by the recent typhoon, like the Iloilo town of Jaro and Molo set up widescreen.
Some office workers even find a way to watch the fight via the Internet, mobile phones, or AM radio.
At Manila’s Sports Complex, wide screen projectors had been set up, and was overflowing with viewers. When the winner was announced, it was pure pandemonium, the arena exploded with joyous victory.
Here's a quick follow-up to the Boston Celtics Will Watch Pacquiao Fight on Las Vegas. Included here is the actual almost 2 minutes video clip of the Boston Celtics chanting "Manny, Manny, Manny," and waving a celebratory four finger salute symbolizing Pacquiao's fourth world title belt in four different weight class. Boston Celtics players went straight to Manny Pacquiao's dugout right after Manny won the bout with Diaz. The Celtics players reserved 16 tickets to watch and support Pacquiao in his fight. The Celtics, led by NBA champ Kevin Garnett, posed with Pacquiao for a photo shoot. "It's a dream come true," Pacquiao said.
Boston Celtics celebrating with Manny Pacquiao Video
Manny Pacquiao: Well, it's not easy moving up weight but, you know, I think I'm just lucky that God give me the strength and the blessings.
Interviewer: Now, did you feel any difference in the punching power of Diaz?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, I feel stronger at a 135 lbs. but I feel I'm stronger than the 130 lbs. so it's better if I stay at a 135 lbs. or a 140 lbs.
Interviewer: Did you have any concern at all whether or not you can take a punch from a guy this big?
Manny Pacquiao: I never worry about taking the punches of the big opponent. But Bob give me a job to fight, so I'm just a fighter. (laughs)
Interviewer: As the fight was moving on, I mean you were hitting him 3, 4, 5 times, you were hitting him pretty badly, are you surprised that it wasn't stop sooner?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, I'm very surprised, you know, I think Diaz, he is the toughest opponent that I had before. And uhm, I'm very surprised that he catch a lot of punches, strong punches, power punches, and still stand up
Interviewer: Are you staying lightweight at this point?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, it depends on Bob's decision. I can fight at 140, or I can fight a 135 lbs.
Interviewer: You can fight at a 140, you think?
Manny Pacquiao: Yeah, yeah.
Interviewer: How about at 147?
Manny Pacquiao: Oh, no, no. (laughs)
Interviewer: 140 is where it stops. (smiles)
Bob Arum: Stay away from Cotto. (laughs)
Interviewer: Stay away from Cotto, that's where they draw the line near Cotto. But anywhere near 140, Manny said bring it on.
Top Rank Version: David Diaz Interview
Interviewer: I know you're very disappointed by the way it went on tonight. What about this fight that surprised you the most?
David Diaz: His speed. Not so much as his power but he looks really fast. I couldn't stop his punches. I couldn't match him actually, I couldn't match him. He hit pretty hard, I'm not gonna lie, but his speed is the thing that fucked me up.
Interviewer: You got cut early in the fight. How much of it affects you?
David Diaz: No, no it didn't affect me at all. I've been cut so many times, that it's just second nature to me. I mean it didn't bother me at all. I can see perfectly, it's not a problem. It's just that he was so fucking fast, that I didn't think he was that fast.
Interviewer: What was your game plan coming up. I assume it's make him work hard.
David Diaz: I see him getting tired a little at the end. So I guess hitting my face, he was getting a little tired. And I was like you know what, it's working. That's the way it goes sometimes.
Interviewer: I know you've been a very tough guy to knock out. So I assume you didn't see the punch coming?
David Diaz: Nah, I didn't. I think it was a... left. I was thinking he didn't hit that hard then all of a sudden I'm on the floor, what the fuck.
Interviewer: That's three (fuck) by the way. (laughs)
David Diaz: (laughs) I was like, what the heck. It just happens (so fast). My hats are off to him. He's a great, great fighter. More than I expected. And you know what? Sometimes, you just have to tip your hat to the other guy and said "you're fucking good." And that's what he is.
Interviewer: That's four (fuck) by the way. (laughs)
David Diaz: (laughs)
Bob Arum: (laughs)
Interviewer: David thank you very much for your time tonight. A valiant effort.
HBO Version: Pacquiao & David Diaz Interview Video
HBO Version: Pacquiao & David Diaz Interview Transcript
Jim Lampley: And joining us now on the ringside, the new lightweight champion of the world. Manny, congratulations on a brilliant show in your first appearance at 135 lbs.
Manny Pacquiao: Thank you very much, and to all the people who's here tonight. Thank you very much to all of you.
Jim Lampley: A question coming into the fight was: Would moving up five pounds in weight, in some way, diminish your speed? Could you keep your power? By our lights, it appear you were faster than ever, and stronger than ever, is that the way you felt?
Manny Pacquiao: Yeah, that's why what we trained in this fight, is uh, speed and power. And I feel very comfortable at 135 lbs., I feel strong.
Jim Lampley: You cut him on the nose in the second round, he got a cut above the eye about a round or two after that, from that forth forward, it was a bloody show. How difficult is it, for you to keep throwing and trashing an obviously outclassed opponent, when you can see how badly hurt he is?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, Diaz, I think he is the toughest opponent that I had before, and I'm very surprised that he catch a lot of punches and he didn't knockdown in the early rounds.
Jim Lampley: We got a video tape of the knockdown, would you like to admire your work a little bit. Let's take a look at the knockout, and you can take a look at the perfect combination... tell us what you're doing here.
Manny Pacquiao: ...
Jim Lampley: ... Right jab, left hand.
Manny Pacquiao: Yeah, yeah, that's what our plan for this fight. The left hand, you know, and then also the right hand so, I'm lucky tonight, because I win by knockout so thanks God for giving me the strength.
Jim Lampley: It's been a long time, since you fought another southpaw, and it looks to be that you used your brilliant right hand, that hook and the uppercut, than even conventional fighters, did you know that would be the case?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, uh, to tell you the truth, you know, it's hard to fight a southpaw, and that's why I'm not very confident in this fight, you know, I just add my defense, you know, jab, jab a lot. And I'm surprised in the 9th round that I knock him out.
Jim Lampley: So Manny, there's been a possible third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez, there's been discussion by your trainor Freddie Roach, standing right behind you, of maybe going up another 5 pounds, and fighting Ricky Hatton. Which fight do you like?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, sir, my job is to uh, I'm just a fighter, my job is to prepare in the ring and to fight. That's the promoter's job, you know, I'm just a fighter in the ring.
Jim Lampley: You want to fight in November, or do you think it will be past at the end of the year?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, I can fight on November, so I'm getting prepared for that.
Jim Lampley: All right, and are you now, the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, uh, thank you, and thanks God for all the blessing. And to all the people who love boxing, to support me, without you guys, I'm not here. So thank you, thank you.
Jim Lampley: All right, thank you Manny and congratulations on a great start in a new weight class. Let's turn now to the extremely brave young man, who Manny vanquished here tonight.
David Diaz (to Manny): (Manny shakes his hand) Great fight, great fight...
Jim Lampley: ... a moment of great sportmanship here. David there was a moment between rounds that you said to your trainor Jim Strickland: "I can handle his punches, he's just too fast." Was that basically the story of the fight?
David Diaz: Yeah, he was too fast. The fucker was too fast.
Jim Lampley: Did you have any idea coming here that he would be that way?
David Diaz: No, I actually saw him on tape and I was like "Yeah, I could deal with that speed," you know. The power was the one I was worried about. But he was too fucking too fast man. Fast, fast, fast.
Jim Lampley: Amazingly fast.
David Diaz: Fast. I thought Freddie was in there hitting me too.
Jim Lampley: Hahaha...
David Diaz: Well, you go to the fight, you go in and you risk it. Well, with a guy like this Manny, shit, at least I can say that I fought a good fighter man. And that's all I want. I want to fight. That's it.
Jim Lampley: You got cut in the nose, I think, in the first round. By the 2nd or 3rd round, a cut above your eye appeared. Obviously, Jimmy was trying to do everything to stop, but the blood kept coming. How much did that bother you during the fight?
David Diaz: No, it didn't bother me at all. I thought, he has a knife with him though. I thought he was cutting me a blade. 'Cause he was fast, he was faster than what I expected. I could deal with the power, but it was the speed was more than I thought it was. And I got tricked by his speed.
Jim Lampley: All right, Floyd Mayweather has retired, the argument is who's the best pound for pound fighter in the world now? Is it Pacquiao, is it Joe Calzaghe, is it maybe rising superstar Miguel Cotto. After what you saw tonight, is there really an argument?
David Diaz: Well, yeah, I'm not going to say he's not, he just beat me man. He's good, he's fucking good, my hats go off to him, we went in there, I fought and I gave it my all, and his speed is just a fucking, that thing that sealed it for me. His speed is too uncontrollable. My hats off to him, he's a good fighter and you know, what else can I say? We lost today, tommorow we'll win.
Jim Lampley: Aside from rooting for the Cubs to win for the World Series, and all of Chicago's other big possibilities right now, what's in your future?
David Diaz: Well, we're gonna go back, relax, give in to the hush hours, and then we'll take it from there to see what happens. I'm gonna take a nice little break, and just come back it man. I mean, I'm 32 years old, I'm getting up there, but I started about 8. I mean to go up there and go with a guy like Manny Pacquiao, shit, I think I'm doing pretty good. Jim Lampley: You heard them chanting "Manny, Manny, Manny," do you think you go the respect of the crowd tonight?
David Diaz: I hope I did. You know what only time will tell. If they like the way I fight, then that's just it. If they don't like the way I fight, then they don't like the way I fight.
Jim Lampley: It was a brave show. Thank you very much David.
David Diaz: Manny Pacquiao is an awesome, awesome person.
Jim Lampley: Allright. Emmanuel Steward, we heard from both fighters, you saw what you saw on the ring, your final thoughts.
Emmanuel Steward: Well, I though Manny Pacquiao fought a tremendous fight. I predicted that he would incorporate head movement tonight because of the style of Diaz. But I don't think he would be moving and punching and doing such a variety of thing. It was a spectacular performance.
Jim Lampley: And a spectacular debut in the lightweight class for Manny Pacquiao, who now has a title in a fourth weight class in his amazing career.
Probably the greatest of all Asian fighter in the history of the sport.
He makes his statement a powerfully compelling one for the status of #1 pound for pound and looks ahead toward a possible rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez, or even the possible fight with Ricky Hatton, or any of the half dozen potential big fights for the man who would be the departure of Mayweather, and the potential departure of De la Hoya looms as the economic bell cow of boxing. The fighter who anyone near his weight class is going to want to fight, because of the response of crowds like this.
It's the HBO Pay Per View PPV version and includes the slow-motion of the Pacquiao's brilliant knockout of David Diaz in the 9th round. It also includes the winner announcement and punch statistics.
Pacquiao vs Diaz Result: 9th Round Knockout in Slow Motion
Manny Pacquiao on Monday arrived to a warm welcome in his hometown General Santos City, as the city celebrated his victory. He went straight to a prepared motorcade and made the rounds in the city along with his relatives and local officials.
Pacquiao at the Araneta Center received the “Award for Sports Excellence" given by the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). 
From the Department of Environment and Natural Resources offices in Quezon City, where Pacquiao lunched the motorcade, he rolled down España and Quezon Avenue and on down Morayta, Nicanor Reyes Street, Recto, Lacson Street and Taft Avenue before through the Makati business district.
After a 16-hour trip from Los Angeles on board Philippine Airlines flight PR 103, the boxing hero was back home to his three children who had not seen their father since May 12. Upon seeing his kids, Pacquiao immediately cradled his daughter and showered his sons with kisses to the excited applause of both members of the press and airport personnel.
