Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao wins 4th world title

MANILA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao won his fourth title by grasping World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight championship over Mexican-American David Diaz Sunday in Las Vegas, the United States, according to local media reports.

Pacquiao knocked out Diaz in the ninth round before a jampacked crowd at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in the U.S. casino city.

Pacquiao also became the first Asian to win four titles in four different divisions.

"I'm very surprised. You know, Diaz, I think he's the toughest opponent that I've had...and I'm very surprised that he kept a lot of strong punches and power punches," Pacquiao said in an interview with local TV network ABS-CBN News.

Pacquiao had earlier won the WBC super featherweight and flyweight belts and the International Boxing Federation super bantamweight crown. He also held Ring Magazine's super featherweight title.