Overflow crowd rejoices in Pacquiao win vs Diaz

Over 500 boxing fans gathered at the Saipan World Resort yesterday to watch via satellite the title fight between Filipino boxing hero Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and David Diaz at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Boxing enthusiasts at the VIP seats inside Redbox and the general admission venue at Royal Taga Hall whooped and yelled when Pacquiao’s left fist knocked out the battered Diaz two minutes and 24 seconds into Round 9.

Most of the spectators, composed mostly of Filipinos and locals, raised their fists and clapped their hands in jubilation when popular announcer Michael Buffer announced Pacquiao as the new World Boxing Council lightweight champion.

The victory made the Filipino national icon the first Asian to win four titles in four different divisions.

Pacquiao was the clear aggressor from the opening round. Diaz’s nose was bloodied due to a cut going into the third round. In round 5, his right brow began bleeding profusely.

Before Pacquiao unleashed his knockdown hook in the 9th round, the referee temporarily stopped the fight at least twice in the earlier rounds to have the ringside doctor check Diaz’s wounds.

Pacquiao has been dubbed the “Mexi-cutioner” for his successive victories against Mexican fighters in his last fights.

Marianas Cable Vision systems manager Mark Birmingham said the match was “great.”

“Another victory for Manny Pacquiao and we have a lot of people buy tickets at the door. This is the fifth one we’ve done with World Resort. It works really well. We had a little glitch for about five seconds. It was just a matter of seconds,” Birmingham said, adding that the undercard fights were also equally good.

The systems manager said they are still willing to sponsor as long as Pacquiao keeps fighting.

“I’m looking forward to keeping it up. And keeping people busy on a Sunday afternoon,” he added.

The live fight was sponsored by Saipan World Resort, Marpac Budweiser, MCV Broadband, and Dial Rent-To-Own.

Marpac marketing manager Jojo Camacho was profuse in his praise of the main event and the other fights, citing an interesting undercard heavyweight fight that lasted only about 34 seconds.

Das Krishnan, World Resort’s food and beverage manager, said about 450 people watched the bout at the Taga Hall Ballroom and almost 100 were at the Redbox Sportsbar.

“It was a good fight. It’s good entertainment for the local community. Most of my customers are repeat customers,” Krishnan said.

The VIP tickets at Redbox were sold at $50 each and it included small buffet. The general admission at Taga Hall was $30 with no food and drinks.

Ray Austin, the hotel’s assistant food and beverage manager, said it’s always enjoyable to watch Pacquiao’s fights.

“He’s strong and very, very fast. And nobody can beat him right now,” Austin said.

Among those seen at Redbox were some businessmen from Guam and former Rep. Andrew Salas.

Attorney Joe Hill, who watch all of Pacquiao’s fights at World Resort, said “it was a great match.”

“Manny Pacquioa is a great champion,” said Hill, who met and toured Pacquiao around when the boxer visited Saipan a couple of years ago.

The lawyer said that Diaz looked like he was not ready for the fight.

“Like a no-show!” said Hill, who was in the jampacked Taga Hall.