(Sports Network) - Manny Pacquiao displayed devastating punching power and blistering speed in capturing the WBC Lightweight belt with a ninth-round knockout of David Diaz at The Mandalay Bay Casino. Pacquiao (47-3-2) showed no ill-effects of moving up to the 135-pound weight class, and easily handled Diaz (34-2-1) for his fourth world title at a different weight, the first Asian-born fighter to accomplish such a feat.

The electric Filipino came out from the opening bell and pounded the native of Chicago with a bevy of rights and lefts. Diaz somehow did not hit the canvas early on, even though he sported a massive cut over his left eye and on the bridge of his nose by the fourth round.

By the ninth, the 32-year old Diaz's white shorts were covered in blood, and at the 2:24 of the round, "Pac Man" connected on the last of his numerous blows, a stiff left that caught Diaz's chin and sent the champion out for the count.

The power numbers told the tale, as the 29-year old Pacquiao landed 180 power punches compared to Diaz's 59 for the 36th knockout of his career.

The undercard featured a pair of title fights that were a mixture of controversy and excitement.

In the first bout of the night, Mario Santiago battled WBO Featherweight champion and fellow southpaw Steven Luevano to a surprising draw.

Both fighters landed virtually equal amounts of punches, but Santiago was the aggressor and connected on the more powerful blows. Nonetheless, the scorecards read, 117-111 for Luevano, 115-113 for Santiago, and an even 114-114 draw.

Luevano (35-1-1) retained his title, but he was not impressive in doing so. The pair exchanged knockdowns in the second round, but from then on it was Santiago (19-1-1) that displayed his punching prowess, almost leveling the California native several times.

Luevano, 27, showed his grit and withstood the punishment from the Puerto Rican, stealing several of the middle rounds and essentially his title.

The second title fight will undoubtedly be reviewed by officials, as Humberto Soto was disqualified in the fourth round by referee Joe Cortez, handing the interim WBC super featherweight title to Francisco Lorenzo.

Soto (44-7-2) was completely in control of the fight, pounding Lorenzo (33-4) with multiple combinations and opening up several gruesome cuts on the Dominican.

In the fourth round, Lorenzo was knocked down several times with crushing blows from the Mexican. Cortez seemingly attempted to stop the fight at one point, but backed off after Lorenzo steadied himself.

But at 2:43 of the fourth, Lorenzo went down to a knee. In mid-combination, Soto glanced the back of 36-year old's head and the fight was stopped. After several minutes of speculation, Cortez award the bout to Lorenzo due to the illegal shot, shocking many in the crowd and the entire Soto camp.

The WBC super featherweight title was relinquished by Pacquiao so he could move up in weight to fight Diaz.







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