Barrera die-hard praises Pacquiao for gesture in helping David Diaz

By ALEX P. VIDAL / PNS
July 5, 2008

LAREDO, Texas  –  A classic act.

This was how Escobar Lamazon, a die-hard fan of former world boxing champion Marco Antonio Barrera here, described the "gesture of compassion" of Manny Pacquiao when he tried to help the fallen and dethroned World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz who absorbed a heart-rending 9th round disposal loss in their 12-round championship battle at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 28.

"Pacquiao won the hearts of millions of Mexicans who watched the fight because of that single classic act," said the 65-year-old Lamazon who operates a restaurant here.

He was referring to Pacquiao's attempt to bring Diaz back on his feet after referee Vic Draculich pulled the plug two minutes gone in the ninth round as Diaz laid on the canvas.

Minutes ago, Pacquiao uncorked three dazzling combinations and finished of the rock-chinned Diaz with a wicked short left to the right jaw.

The seasoned referee did not bother to count and ruled Pacquiao winner by technical knockout (TKO).

Diaz, who had cuts under his right eyebrow and nose the bridge, was bloodied since round three and was losing in all the three judges' scorecards by a mile when Pacquiao connected the brutal punch.

Lamazon, an American of Mexican descent, said it's been a long time since he saw a boxer trying to help a down opponent especially in world title fights.

"Normally, two boxers in a world championship are really in conflict throughout the fight and they don't care if one of them gets beheaded. That's how brutal boxing can be. But Pacquiao showed the world that boxing is not a brutal sport at all," added the bemoustached Lamazon.

Lamazon said as a Mexican-American "it was but normal that I was hurt" when Pacquiao first demolished in the 11th round his favorite Mexican warrior Barrera five years ago in a non-title fight in San Antonio, Texas.