Nonito Donaire Jr. ? A Bad Case of Being Too Good
By Mark F. Villanueva
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 10 Jul 2010
When Shane Mosley shocked the boxing world and destroyed Antonio Margarito, who at that time was considered by many to be the most feared man in boxing, no fighter within that division ever wanted to stay within range nor have a shot at him and risk a loss. Instead they took easier routes and fought weaker, less intimidating champions to become kings themselves in a different territory. Unlike back in the day during the golden age of boxing when fighters fought whoever stood on their way so that at the end whosoever became king was the king of all men in his class, today we now have a motley of champions. It seemed to have taken ages for a fight to be arranged for the crowned champion, Mosley, who sat on his throne accumulating ring rust.
Whether it was the long absence from the ring or age, or, the overwhelming talent of Floyd Mayweather Jr. that had caused Shane Mosley to lose his last boxing match, one can only guess. I?m sure we all have our own expert opinions on the matter that may be worthy of yet a separate article. Or maybe that?s all moot and irrelevant now, but after that horrendous performance all of a sudden we have a line of boxers waiting to take a shot at the former world champion down on his knees, whose weaknesses had just been blatantly exposed. Right now I think the Sergio Mora match is as good as a done deal, but before that we had other prizefighters eagerly lining up to take what they see is left of Mosley, and I wouldn?t be surprised at all if these guys see him as damaged goods after what he?s been through, and ride on his popularity by beating up a struggling old fighter who is nevertheless a sure-shot future hall of famer.
At 38 years old, going 39 this year, Mosley has many reasons to be proud of his glittering career. But what about other rising stars, boxing hopefuls, new and talented fighters that are lurking around the corners away from the limelight that are hoping for a break to dawn on their careers. Case-in-point is the extremely talented Pinoy fighter Nonito Donaire Jr. This guy has been breaking down all his opponents if not knocking them out for quite some time. I have personally seen him fight Raul Martinez at the Araneta and I?ve seen his natural gift of speed and power, and I?ve always been a fan way before that. His swiftness around the ring was impeccable, making him doubly effective with his lunges before he cracked an uppercut to the formerly undefeated Martinez? jaw after a quick fake straight that sent his opponent rolling down the corner. Sure I think he drops his left hand way too low at times during a fight, but it seems to work for him alright. Being a fervid fan of boxing and a perennial student of the sweet science myself I think Nonito is one hell of a fighter coated with devilish good looks and deadly talent. Some people say he?s the Dela Hoya of Philippine boxing, and to some extent I have to agree with that assessment.
Unfortunately, the best of Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire Jr., a 27 year old fighter who originates from General Santos, Philippines, still remains to be seen. For an athlete of his talent he should be fighting more often, fighting fights that matter to further develop his already impressive skills. He needs opponents that pose a real threat to him to stretch his limits and go against the bigger names in the sport to fully maximize his potential. In an ideal world that is how it should have turned out after he knocked out the cocky ?Raging Bull? Darchinyan with an explosive left hook. That was the break he was looking for as a boxer and he took it without fear and conquered it.
Since then all Donaire?s matches were just to keep him busy. Without the moneyand attention to keep his career afloat I?d say those were merely scrap fights served almost like subtle insults considering his current stature. After all he is ranked within the top five pound for pound fighters in the world. He sat on his throne as an IBF and IBO flyweight champion waiting as if on a seaside enjoying the sunset. Like Mosley, he sits idly, sometimes restlessly, scouring the horizon while time ticks and unlike towards Golfers, age is exceptionally harsh to a boxer. They say boxing is dead, but I say hell no! Yet I have to admit this is the malady that long besets the sport we love; the sport my father, my grandfather and my great grandfather loves. If only the promoters made the right bouts happen and the best fought each other the sport of Boxing shall reign forever.
Read more of Mark F. Villanueva at boxinginsight.blogspot.com
Mark currently lives in Iloilo City and can be followed through http://twitter.com/markfvillanueva
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark F. Villanueva.
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