Smashing the Jinx
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 09 Jul 2007
Condes (L) and Donaire deliver world titles for the Philippines.
When Manny Pacquiao gave up the linear world featherweight title bestowed upon him by Ring magazine in 2005 Filipino boxers went into a very worrisome losing streak in world title fights.
Worrisome in the sense that the list of losing fighters bear names that were considered as the next wave and also a former world champion.
Consider these names: Yukka Gejon, Rodel Mayol, Diosdado Gabi, Randy Suico, Glenn Donaire, Z Gorres, and Gerry Penalosa.
You may not agree with the judges’ decisions in some of these fights but they still went home without a belt.
Finally, the jinx was broken. It took a tsunami to smash it and wash away all our disappointments, courtesy of a straweight now called “Little Pacquiao”. Florante Condes showed what power can do. In enemy territory, it can neutralize everything. It may have been a split decision but a victory nonetheless.
Nonito Donaire’s upset victory over IBF flyweight champ Vic Darchinyan was just as incredible. The Australian was a heavy favorite to win the fight and was unbeaten. But Donaire showed that he is worthy of using Philippine boxing’s most hallowed ring name. His left hand was well timed, a perfect fit for the Raging Bull’s wide swings.
The title changed hands in a flash.
Nonito Donaire, Jr. raises his hands in thriumph after sending Vic Darchinyan to the canvas. AP photo.
It would not be so unusual really. Filipino “small men” do have a history of shocking the world, starting with Pancho Villa’s smashing KO win over Jimmy Wilde in 1925, a childhood polio stricken Dodie Penalosa winning the IBF lightflweight and flyweight belts in the 1980’s, Rolando Pascua’s upset KO win over Chiquita Gonzales for the WBC lightflyweight title in
1990, and Manny Pacquiao’s first world crown ? a come from behind one punch KO of Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight belt in 1998.
This could be a signal of better things to come, as Mayol, Gejon, Penalosa and Gorres are still in the title hunt. Rey Bautista’s acid test is coming soon.
Author Don DeLillo once said,”There's always a period of curious fear between the first sweet-smelling breeze and the time when the rain comes cracking down‘. Raining world titles will always be welcome.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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