DONAIRE TAMED THE “RAGING BULL” DARCHINYAN ON 7/7/7
By Rod Mijares
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Jul 2007
Beware Donaire is not a French name. In fact it is a Filipino name and today, history happens on a lucky day and it is a very memorable one. Filipinos should watch, listen and now believe in that name. That name belongs to Nonito Donaire, known as the “Filipino Flash” who just became the second Filipino world champion today in any boxing division after a long while by overcoming all odds and redeeming his family’s honor. He just wrestled the IBF World Flyweight championship belt from the power hitting, previously unbeaten (28 wins, 22 knockouts) and orthodox Armenian boxer, Vic Darchinyan who now boxed for Australia in an upset that shock the entire boxing world specifically, this writer.
Another Filipino, Florante 'The Little Pacquiao' Condes also knockdown Indonesian Muhammed Rachman twice in the third and in the tenth round in winning another IBF crown on a split decision, the world minimumweight (105 lb.) title in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Vic Darchinyan has been the champion for a long time since winning the crown from Colombian Irene Pacheco on December 16, 2004 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, Florida, USA. After six successful defense against worthy fighters including Filipino Diosdado Gabi on March 3, 2006 in Sta. Ynez, California and Nonito’s own brother, Glenn Donaire on October 7, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada he faced Nonito Donaire on his 7th defense. Nonito Donaire, meanwhile, has to go down in weight from being a super flyweight at 115 lbs. to 112 lbs. just to fight Darchinyan with a noble purpose to avenge the loss of his older brother, Glenn.
“God forbids he (Darchinyan) is a lucky puncher, “ Glenn Donaire said before the 5th round begins. Glenn just lost to Vic Darchinyan was in his brother’s corner..
But not this time, the lucky day belongs to his brother. And it did not happen in Las Vegas slot machines where hundred of thousands of people are trying their luck in 777 and where hundreds of couples are being wed as this is being written. It happens in Harbour Yard Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA in the east coast where Nonito Donaire, a Filipino tried his luck on a lucky day.
This writer believes that Darchinyan possesses a very punishing left hook that when unleash and hit his mark, his opponent will go down sprawling to the canvas at no time. But not this time, Nonito Donaire made me a believer on him. As the fight went on, he always made sure that every time Darchinyan unleashed a barrage of punches, he would throw an equal amount of punches or more to unleash fear on his proud and cocky opponent. Most of the time, he was the aggressor while Darchinyan was on his self extremely calm, patiently waiting for the right moment and even teasing Donaire to come over and hit him.
On the fifth round, with right hand extended opening his body, Vic Darchinyan was rushing to hit Donaire with his hard hitting left hook but before he could land it, Donaire saw the opening and hit Darchinyan with a big round left hook of his own hitting Darchinyan direct to the face sending him down. As he was trying to stand up on his knees with blood on his mouth, he hit the floor with his head. The second time he tried to stand up, his knees won’t hold him and he went for the rope. It is at this stage that the referee, Eddie Claudio, has to stop the fight after the 38th second going into the 5th round. Darchinyan was kept on the canvas by the doctor and his entourage to examine the severity of his condition and a stretcher was even asked for.
“I don’t know what to say but I felt I was not hurt. He may have knocked me down but I was not hurt, “ Darchinyan said after the fight. “I would love to fight him again, are you going to fight me again,” asking Donaire.
“I respected Darchinyan for being a good and hard hitting boxer. I will leave it to Gary Shaw and to my manager’s decisions. I will never say no to them,” Donaire said.
“I am so thankful to Gary Shaw, to my manager and to Showtime for giving me a chance. There is a lot of Filipinos who don’t believe in me and this gives me the inspiration to fight and win,” A grateful Donaire said when being interviewed by Jim Gray.
Before the knockdown, two referees Stephen Epstein and Donald Trell scored it tie, 38-38 and the third referee, John McKaie scored it for Donaire at 40-36.
“Mabuhay ang Pilipinas,” the proud and new Filipino champion echoed to the world after scoring what could be “the knockdown and biggest upset of the year.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rod Mijares.
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