Manny Pacquiao is the Urijah Faber of Boxing

And the new emperor of the sport. I can only marvel at how much Manny Pacquiao's boxing technique has gotten. Just two fights ago, against Marco Antonio Barrera, Pacquiao was still a brawler, with great physical tools and power, but rudimentary (for a guy of his stature) boxing skills. Pacquiao beat Barrera via unanimous decision, but you had to wonder how much longer Pacquiao could last with that style, especially after he hits 30. However, in his rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao showed much improved boxing. His jab was no longer just a range finder. It had actually become quite an effective weapon in its own good. Pacquiao's improved boxing was the difference maker, as he need a split decision to get the win. Manny Pacquiao's 9th Round knockout of David Diaz has totally changed my perception of Pacquiao. Before this fight, Pacquiao was a great boxer, arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but still more of a brawler than a technician. But against David Diaz, Pacquiao used his jab like Wladimir Klitschko uses his against the heavies. Pacquiao snapped Diaz's head back with regularity, he circled Diaz, and moved in and out of range, flabbergasting Diaz with his evasiveness and then brutalizing him with deadly combinations. On the fight-finishing combination, Manny Pacquiao snapped Diaz's head back with a jab that ignited the crowd, and baited Diaz into taking the finishing left (Pacquiao is a southpaw) with another. It was poetry in motion, and it combined graceful boxing and brutal power. At 2:24 of Round 9, with David Diaz face on floor, knocked out, the fight was declared over. Pacquiao's transformation really reminded me of Urijah Faber's coming out party against Jens Pulver in WEC 34, where he totally outboxed a guy whose speciality lay in his superb boxing skills. Before the fight against Pulver, Faber was more wrestling oriented, relying on his slams, takedowns, dirty boxing, and improvisational capabilities. I am convinced that there is no boxer on Earth better than Manny Pacquiao pound-4-pound. In terms of effective boxing, Pacquiao is on his way to becoming Floyd Mayweather-like if he continues his pace of improvement. He is still a devastating puncher - but he uses his gift much more effective, and takes less damage in the process. Boxing and sports fans, you have found your future of the sport. With Floyd Mayweather, Jr. retiring prematurely and Oscar De La Hoya, Joe Calzaghe and Bernard Hopkins all on the verge of hanging the gloves, boxing's new superstar has emerged at an opportune time. Boxing's new king is from the Philippines and is a five-time champion in five weight divisions - and his reign and only started. Ladies and Gentlemen, please give it up for Manny Pacquiao!