DONAIRE VOWS TO WIN AGAINST HUSSEIN
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 17 Mar 2008
World flyweight champion Nonito Donaire, who will defend his IBF title on April 18 in Dubai, has told his Cebuano benefactor and sportsman Jonathan Guardo that he will win his upcoming fight over the Australian fighter Hussein Hussein.
Donaire, who is backed by Arthro Kontra-Arthritis, a product of Guardo's Uniherb, is currently training at the Top Rank gym and has tapped a Mongolian boxer as his chief sparmate.
Guardo, who met Donaire at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino yesterday during the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez event, stated that "Nonito Donaire Sr (trainer-father) is taking good care of his son. He (Donaire Jr) promised me to really win it all the way."
GUARDO, JAKOSALEM AGREE
Meanwhile, Guardo agreed with the result of the fight where Pacquiao took a split decision win, although he also credited Marquez for an outstanding stand against the Filipino icon.
"That was a knockdown that made the difference," said the Cebuano sportsman, who was at ringside with his lovely wife Liza along with some 11,060 screaming Filipino and Mexican fans, noting that Pacquiao "landed the punches that count."
Guardo, however, observed that "Marquez was very tenacious, very tough fighter, he deserved a standing ovation and I salute it."
"That was the most exciting fight the country has ever seen," exclaimed Cebu City Councilor Sylvan "Jack" Jakosalem. "Marquez was unbelievably strong, fast and indestructible. Pacquiao was just more constantly powerful til the end. I guess that, plus his heart, spirit and passion to win conquered Marquez and finally, the judges."
SCORES
After twelve rounds, Pacquiao won on two judges' scorecards 115-112 and 114-113, while the third judge gave it to Marquez.
Marquez swept the first two rounds as he was able to land clean counter shots against Pacman's aggressions.
After knocking down Marquez in the third, Pacquiao picked up the fourth round using his aggression. Marquez won the next two rounds before they figured in a very close seventh round where Pacquiao got fired up after he was cut. Marquez won the eighth when he cut Pacquiao over the right eye, and got the better of the exchanges in the round.
Pacquiao rocked Marquez again in the tenth before the Mexican took the eleventh.
Pacquiao took the final round by the skin of his teeth delivering the cleaner punches and keeping his aggression.
MARQUEZ FEELS HE WON
Marquez, unbowed, felt he did enough to win the fight despite the third-round knockdown.
?I trained for this fight with all of my heart and I still feel that I am the champ,? Marquez told the media. ?It was a bad a decision."
?The knockdown did not affect me. I adjusted after the knockdown and I thought I dictated the rest of the fight. I haven?t lost anything at all. The people are the best judges and they know I won," he added.
However, despite the loss, experts are one in saying that Marquez has not lost anything in terms of his stature in the sport and his standing among the world's elite fighters.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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