PINOY POWER 2 RECAP: DONAIRE PREVAILS DESPITE FACING ADVERSITY
By Jason Aniel
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Aug 2009
Las Vegas, NV—Last Saturday, the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas hosted the second installment of Pinoy Power—a Pay Per View show that features several Filipino prize fighters. In the main event, Nonito Donaire, after establishing his dominance at the Flyweight division, moved up in weight to send notice to the top fighters at the Super Flyweight division that he plans to take over that division as well. His opponent was Rafael Concepcion, who knew at least three days prior to the weigh-in that he was not going to make the 115lbs weight limit. Concepcion weighed in at 119lbs at the weigh-in and was rumored to be around 130lbs by fight night.
The venue that the fight took place was an intimate setting, like a nightclub with a boxing ring inside. There were a lot of music and lights throughout the night. Therefore, by the time the main event was getting under way, the packed theatre was ready to see some live action. In the opening round, Donaire tried to establish his superior boxing skills but more importantly his power as he was looking for a knockout. At flyweight, Donaire had the power edge over most of his opponents but at a higher weight and against a fighters who came in as heavy as Concepcion, it was clear that Donaire had to box for most of the fight. Donaire also injured his left hand, the source of his best punch.
An aggressive fighter, Concepcion had been known in the past to take a really good punch. Donaire was hit a little more often than he would prefer against Concepcion. The Filipino Flash took the punches well, even though he was stunned by some right hands Concepcion landed. Donaire had been so impressive in his recent fights; his chin was never really tested until last Saturday. And Donaire proved that he has a world-class set of whiskers.
By the championship rounds, it was clear that if Donaire can remain on his feet, he would win the fight. Concepcion was effective on the inside when both fighters would go toe-to-toe. However, Donaire kept Concepcion at a distance for the majority of the fight and was able to land counter punchers (though only one punch at a time) at will. At the end of 12 rounds, the scorecards came in and Donaire won a clear unanimous decision.
Nonito did not accomplish the mission he set out for, which to crash the doors of the 115lbs division and make a huge statement. Part of that was Concepcion coming into the fight so much bigger than Donaire. Another reason could be that Donaire hurt his hand early and was unable to throw any combinations. Maybe, Donaire will never be as dominate at higher weight classes than he was at Flyweight.
However, Donaire was successful and claimed an interim title even though he did not bring in his best stuff into the fight. Any fighter can be a world champion when they are on their “A” game but it takes a true warrior and great fighter to win a big fight with the pressure that faced Donaire. It was his biggest fight in the United States against rugged opponent in front of a packed house as the main event. Donaire made headlines in the Philippines when he dedicated the fight to the former Philippine President Cory Aquino, who passed away last month.
Many fans forget that Manny Pacquiao went life and death with Nedal Hussein in 2000 and Agapito Sanchez in 2001. In those two fights, Pacquiao was not at his best and nearly lost both those fights. However, the experience of those fights made Pacquiao a better fight in the long run.
Donaire’s future fights will only get bigger and draw more attention. A fight with either Jorge Arce or Fernando Montiel is in the works for Donaire next fight. If he gets a clean bill of health in the next couple of weeks, that fight could take place in December.
ABE SUFFERS FROM A LITTLE BAD LUCK AT THE HARD ROCK!
Just when it seemed like the tide was turning in his favor (or at least into an exciting fight), all 21 years of Bernabe Concepcion came to life when he nailed WBO titlist Steven Luevano after the bell. When referee Jay Nady saw Luevano crash onto the canvas, he immediately waved off the fight, not giving Lueveno five minutes to try to recover (though it was clear Lueveno was not going to fully recover in time). Therefore, Concepcion, in his first title shot, suffered a disqualification loss.
Throughout most of the fight, Concepcion had a difficult time getting the proper range on Lueveno to land his power shots. Lueveno was able to keep Concepcion at a distance and land counter left hands when Concepcion lunged in off balance. However, Lueveno did not really damage Concepcion with any punches of his own and when Concepcion would land, Lueveno would stumble. According to trainer Freddie Roach, the plan would to get a late stoppage. Concepcion would have benefited from a more sustained attack to the body. Lueveno did not like any punches to the body that Concepcion landed. When it’s difficult to land combination to the head; the body shots can make a difference in a fight.
Hopefully, Concepcion gets an immediate rematch with Lueveno. It was unfortunate that he was disqualified but it’s hard to argue against Jay Nady’s decision. Concepcion was inexperience and got way too excited after landing a solid blow to Lueveno just 10 seconds prior to the bell ringing. Maybe, like Donaire, Concepcion will take this as a learning experience and improve if ever a rematch occurs.
MELLIGEN IS ON HIS WAY
The fighter who had the best performance that night was welterweight prospect, Mark Jason Melligen. Melligen has been training in Las Vegas all year so far and the progress and improvement has shown inside the ring. Melligen is a member of the famed ALA boxing stable. Some of the better known boxers from that stable include Rey Bautista, Z Gorres, and A.J. Banal. ALA boxers have been criticized in the past for a lack of stamina.
From the first minute of Melligen’s bout against an experienced journeyman, Ernesto Zapeda, he shown one thing that I have yet to see from any ALA boxer with the exception of Z Gorres. Relaxation. His shoulders, fist, and legs, were not tight and stiff. He moved around ring with ease and let his punches go freely, not looking for one punch to end the fight. Maybe training at the Mayweather Gym is rubbing off of Melligen because he did display some shoulder rolls and counter punches.
Melligen scored a fourth round stoppage over Zapeda and rather than his trainer, Ala Villamor, lifting his prize pupil, it was Melligen who lifted his trainer up in celebration. Melligen still has a long way to go before possibly challenging for a title at either welterweight or Jr. welterweight but the progress he is showing now gives a lot of fans hope that he will become a future world champion.
TWEATCAST
Visit my twitter page at www.twitter.com/sportnjordan to see the updates from the Pinoy Power 2 show as well as news from boxing as I get them. The next tweatcast is scheduled for September 19th for Mayweather-Marquez. Instead of ordering the fight on PPV, just follow the fight on Twitter.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.
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