Pacquiao knocks out Diaz to claim WBC crown

By Kieran Mulvaney

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao became the first Asian boxer to capture world titles at four different weight divisions when he knocked out David Diaz in the ninth round to claim the WBC lightweight championship on Saturday.

The Filipino was dominant throughout, landing right hooks, uppercuts and straight left hands while frustrating the defending champion with his deft footwork and constant movement to improve his record to 47-3-2 (36 KOs).

American Diaz fell to 34-2-1 (17 KOs) following the loss in a bout in which he struggled to land clean punches of his own as Pacquiao moved out of range after landing combinations.

Diaz opened the contest with his hands held high, attempting to block Pacquiao's punches but the Filipino soon found a way behind his opponent's guard, landing right hooks from a southpaw stance and also penetrating with sharp uppercuts.

Diaz was bleeding from the bridge of the nose in the second round and by the third, he had blood gushing from a cut above the right eye.

Referee Vic Drakulich stopped the action on several occasions for the ringside physician to confirm that Diaz was able to continue.

"I was kind of surprised the fight wasn't stopped earlier," Pacquiao told reporters. "It was a really bad cut."

Pacquiao repeatedly rattled Diaz with powerful blows and on the rare occasion when the American did land punches of his own, his opponent retaliated with more violent flurries.