Like a termite working its way into a mansion, Manny Pacquiao destroyed World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion David Diaz Sunday brick by brick.

By the time Diaz answered the bell for the ninth round, the American was on the verge of a major collapse, his foundation having been reduced to paper maché. True enough, Pacquiao waited for the right time to throw the wrecking ball. It came by way of a left hook that landed smack on the chin of a recklessly lunging Diaz.

When a bloodied Diaz fell on his back, the demolition job was complete. Exercising fistic euthanasia, referee Vic Drakulich did not bother to count and waived the fight over.