Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao gave up his World Boxing Council lightweight world title Tuesday on February 23 2009. Pacquaio defeated Juan Manuel Marquez to win the WBC super featherweight title in March 2008 , then took down David Diaz to claim the WBC lightweight title in June 2008. His last fight was a ko victory over Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008.
Pacquiao is getting ready to face Britain's Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas. Both Of them will start promoting their megabout in February 28 2009 in Machester and then to other cities in the UK and the US.
Pacquiao, who is considered boxing's top pound-for-pound fighter, cited his desire to compete in the super lightweight division as his reason for vacating his crown.
Pacquiao (48-3-2, 26 KOs) firmly entrenched himself as a superstar and perhaps the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter in December when he dominated Oscar De La Hoya with speed and accuracy from beginning to end, scoring an eighth-round technical knockout victory.
THIS IS THE LETTER MANNY WROTE TO THE WBC:
Dear Mr. Sulaiman and World Boxing Council;
I take great pride and honor in representing the W.B.C. as its Lightweight Champion at the present time. Your instituion has opened the door formy success in boxing and I am grateful for the prestige your organization has given me over the years as one of its champions in many different weight categories.
I have had discussion with my team as to the direction of my career since my fight at 147 lbs with Oscar De La Hoya, on December 6, 2008. After careful consideration and the in the advancement of my professional boxing career, I intend at this time to campaign in the Super Lightweight division with a fight against Ricky Hatton on May 2, 2009.
Therefore, this correspondence will serve as formal notice to the World Boxing Council, I am voluntarily relinquishing my W.B.C. Lightweight Championship Belt in order to pave the way for a new champion and provide opportunities and success to other fighters in the Lightweight division.
I look forward to the opportunity and distinction of representing your organization as a World Champion in the future.
Sincerely,
Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao
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