THE FLASH TAMES EL TORITO
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 17 Aug 2009
The knockout wasn't there so Nonito Donaire, Jr. decided to do something he also does well – box.
Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion came into this fight more than four pounds over the 115 lb.weight limit and looked really bloated. In the opening round it was the “Not So Little” Panamanian Bull who was moving around and the Filipino Flash doing the chasing.
Donaire's left jab started to find its target in the second and caused a cut on Concepcion's left eyelid. El Torito however signaled he was not going away by landing powerful overhand rights. Donaire started his stick and run routine in the third with Concepcion continuing to stalk him.
Donaire employed a disciplined strategy in the middle rounds by employing jabs, one two combos and lateral movement. The Pananamian continued to apply pressure and hurt Donaire on a few occasions. In the ninth round Concepcion started to tire and his punches simply beat the air. Concepcion's cut became a huge crimson target for Donaire as the fight wore on. Donaire continued to land powerful rights but Concepcion was still standing until the final bell.
The scorecards read: 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112 all for Donaire who now owns the WBA interim superflyweight title belt.
Concepcion reportedly was fined 20 percent of his $65,000 purse for being overweight, or $13,000, half going to the Nevada State Athletic Commission and half going to Donaire. Whether the extra weight helped him absorb punches better or made him stronger, it still wasn't enough.
Donaire previously had three successful defenses of his IBF flyweight belt. He wore yellow trunks for this fight as tribute to the late Philippine Pres. Corazon Aquino.
POST SCRIPT:
Donaire's cornermen once again were the Penalosa brothers Jonathan and Dodie. Their brother Gerry Penalosa was the first superflyweight champion from the Philippines. In 1997, he beat Hiroshi Kawashima of Japan by 12 round split decision for the WBC world title in Tokyo.
This fight would also be vengeance served cold for Dodie. In 1986, he lost to a Panamanian, Hilario Zapata by unanimous decision in his first attempt to move up in weight and win a second world title, the WBA flyweight belt.
The 115 lb. superflyweight or junior bantamweight division was created in 1980. Rafael Orono of Venezuela was the first champion for the WBC when he beat Seung Hoon Lee of South Korea by 15 round unanimous decision. In 1981, the WBA had it's first 115 lb. champ when Gustavo Ballas of Argentina beat Korean Suk Chul Bae by 8th round TKO. The IBF had it's first superflyweight champion in 1983 when Ju Do Chun of South Korea beat Ken Kasugai by 5th round KO.
Top photo: "The Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire Jr.(R) of the Philippines defeats Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion of Panama with a 12-round unanimous decision Saturday night to win the WBA interim world Super Flyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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