Pacquiao claims lightweight title

Manny Pacquiao became a four-weight world champion in Las Vegas on Saturday night, stopping David Diaz in the ninth round to win the WBC lightweight title.

Pacquiao dominated the fight, winning every round and opening a gash above Diaz's right eye and nose early on.

The 29-year-old Filipino finished the fight with a vicious left jab that sent Diaz to his second defeat.

Pacquiao, widely regarded as the world's best boxer, could be a future opponent for Amir Khan.

Prior to beating Manchester's Michael Gomez in a bruising encounter, Khan stated he wanted to fight the winner of the Pacquiao-Diaz fight, claiming he could "beat them both".
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Khan survives Gomez test

Michael Gomez promised a ‘tear up’ and that is exactly what we got.

It was a thrilling encounter…for the five rounds it lasted.

And even though Khan prevailed, Gomez more than contributed to this classic encounter.

He picked himself off the canvas in the first to floor Khan in the second and caught the Bolton fighter with a number of solid shots that in his peak would have caused a lot more damage.

Gomez said he was prepared to brawl with Khan and that is exactly what he did, showing amazing resilience to trade punches with the Olympic silver medallist before ultimately succumbing in the fifth round.

Khan must also take some credit for this scintillating affair, as he stood toe-to-toe with Gomez dishing out as much punishment to the Irish born fighter as he himself received.

In the end Khan was just too strong, too quick and probably too young to get beaten by a fighter reaching the end of his career.
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Jones confirms Calzaghe showdown

Roy Jones Jr insists he will fight unbeaten Joe Calzaghe at light-heavyweight this autumn.

The veteran American legend claims he and Welsh two-weight world champion Calzaghe will clash on 20 September, probably at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"Me and Joe are going to fight this fall and right now it's looking like 20 September," Jones told the Sun.

BBC Sport understands Calzaghe's stay at light-heavyweight means he will give up his WBC super-middleweight title.

Calzaghe could be succeeded as WBC champion by another British fighter Carl Froch who is expected to face American Jermain Taylor for the vacant title.

Calzaghe, 36, and Jones, 39, are set to co-promote their showdown which could be the final fight for both greats.

Calzaghe split with long-time promoter Frank Warren earlier this week and Jones said: "I am free and he is free and this will be the first time in a very long time that two fighters sat down and ironed out all the details themselves.
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Calzaghe ends Warren association

Welshman Joe Calzaghe has split from long-term promoter Frank Warren.

Super-middleweight and light-heavyweight king Calzaghe has been promoted by Warren since 1996.

But with Calzaghe eyeing up a career swansong, possibly against Roy Jones Jr later this year, he has ended his 12-year association with Warren.

"I am now a free agent with no contract and intend to be self-managed from now on," the 36-year-old Calzaghe said in the South Wales Argus.
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